Car accidents are traumatic for everyone involved. They are also the most common type of personal injury and they can result in serious physical harm. Car accidents can be caused by multiple factors, such as poor weather conditions, road hazards or product defects. However, when they are caused by negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Your Florida car accident lawyer can offer guidance on what type of accident is eligible for financial compensation and in what circumstances.
If you or your loved ones were part of an accident, contact Florida car accident attorneys in order to receive legal assistance and guidance. Keep in mind that you are eligible for financial compensation if the accident was caused by someone else’s carelessness or recklessness. In fact, most car accidents can be avoided if the drivers pay careful attention to the road, and are not easily distracted.
Accidents happen every hour in the United States. Let’s take a look at some of the most surprising facts about car accidents:
Almost 50% Of Car Accidents Are Related To Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the main factors behind car accidents in the United States. Recent data, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (abbreviated as NHTSA), shows that about 40 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the United States involve one or more drivers that are under the influence of alcohol. Make sure to contact Florida car accident attorneys if you were a victim of an alcohol-related car accident.
The First Speeding Ticket
Speeding is one of the most common infraction when driving. Almost everyone does it and, unfortunately, it causes a lot of accidents. Data shows that about a third of all accidents in the country are related to excessive speeding. The first speeding ticket was issued at the start of the 20th century, in 1904. The violator was going at a shocking 12 miles per hour in a residential area in Philadelphia.
Most Accidents Are Close To Home
Most accidents happen within 25 miles of our homes, according to data released by multiple insurance agencies. Why? Because we tend to be a little less careful when driving around our neighborhood. We know the streets and we don’t pay attention to the driving conditions. What’s more, half of these accidents happen inside a 5-mile radius.
Rollovers Are The Deadliest Car Accidents
Car accidents are dangerous and can cause serious physical harm. However, the deadliest accidents are rollovers. The reasons are simple: during a rollover, the risk of rejection is the highest and the victims are prone to head injuries.
Distracted Drivers Cause A Lot Of Accidents
Data suggests that about 3,500 people are killed every year in the United States because they are driving while being distracted. The term is rather ambiguous, but it refers to people who are eating, texting or watching videos while driving. Talk to your Florida car accident lawyer if you are a victim of an accident caused by distracted drivers.
Fatal Accidents Frequency
There’s a fatal accident every 16 minutes in the United States. This equals to about 92 people per day, or close to 34,000 people per year.
Young Drivers Are Prone To Injuries
Young drivers (ages 16 to 25) are the most prone to injuries caused by car accidents. Almost 300,000 young drivers are injured every year. Unfortunately, the fatalities are also high in this age group, with about 5,000 deaths every year.
Using The Mobile Phone
Data suggest that the risk of car accidents grows by almost 400 percent if the driver is talking on the mobile phone. In most jurisdictions, talking on the phone is illegal and drivers should use a hand-less car kit if they want to have a phone conversation.
Men Are More Likely To Cause An Accident
Men are both the most likely to cause an accident or be a victim of car accidents. Data shows that men cause about 50 percent more accidents and are victims in more than 20 percent of cases when compared to women.
Texting While Driving
The average text takes about 4.6 seconds to write. During this period, your car traveling at 55 mph will travel a road similar in length to a football field. That will leave less room to react and a higher risk for accidents. Try to contact Florida car accident attorneys if you consider texting as a factor that caused the car accident.
What To Do In Case Of A Car Accident?
Stop! – Whenever you see a car accident, stop as soon as possible. Don’t continue driving. Even if it is a small accident, stop and try to help the victims or contact the police or ambulance.
Protect The Scene – If you were part of an accident or are a witness to an accident, try to protect the scene. This will help prevent further accidents. Try to set up flares or keep the flashers on. Use a flashlight to signal your position and make sure your car is safe on the road.
Call The Police – As soon as you assess the injuries and secure the area, you should call the police. They will assist you in reporting a claim with your insurance company and will assist the ambulance workers. The vehicles involved in the accident should remain where they are, but only if they don’t interfere with traffic.
Make A Record – Try to explain to the police exactly what happened and be receptive to any question. If you are not certain about various facts, tell that to the officer. Do not speculate, lie, or misstate facts. Try to be as direct and sincere as possible, as this will help you in the future legal proceedings. If you have a camera, or your mobile phone, you can take pictures of the accident, your car, and various other aspects. Pay attention to the visible injuries or damages that were created. However, ask the police officer if taking pictures is OK. Sometimes, it may interfere with the investigation. If possible, talk to them as soon as possible after the accident. This is also the best time to call your Florida car accident lawyer to get legal assistance.
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