In less than a second, an auto accident can cause immense property damage, life-changing injuries and fatalities. Although there are steps that drivers and passengers can take to avoid crashes and prevent injuries, nobody can control the actions of other motorists.
The vast majority of wrecks stem from driver error and negligence. Modern technologies are distracting drivers cognitively, visually and physically. Texting, in particular, can have devastating consequences. According to Drivers.com, motorists who send text messages behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to crash. Other common causes of accidents include drunk driving and speeding.
If you were injured by another driver’s error, then you may be entitled to compensation for lost income, health-care bills and other damages related to the collision. A Marietta car accident lawyer from the Crosson Law Group, LLC can evaluate your case to determine if making a claim would be in your best interests.
Our office is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling 678-909-0770. Until then, read on to learn the top three causes of accidents in the United States:
- Speeding
Speeding increases stopping distance and gives a driver less time to react to unexpected hazards. Perhaps more important, it adds force to the impact of a crash, which makes injuries and fatalities more likely. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, crashes involving speeding killed more than 10,000 people in 2012.
- Drunk Driving
It is no secret that driving under the influence can kill. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 9,000 people died in accidents involving alcohol in 2014. That represents 31 percent of all road fatalities in the United States.
Which age groups are most likely to be involved in alcohol-related fatal crashes? According to the CDC, 30 percent of the drivers in these accidents were between the ages of 21 and 24. Drivers between the ages 25 and 34 were involved in 29 percent of these wrecks, and drivers aged 35 to 44 contributed to 24 percent of them.
- Distracted Driving
When most people think of distracted driving, cell phone use comes to mind. Although smartphones are among the most common contributors to accidents, distracted driving takes many forms. Other examples include:
- Eating and drinking;
- Observing distractions outside the vehicle;
- Adjusting the radio;
- Rowdy passengers;
- And daydreaming.
Still, cell phone use appears to be the most common cause of distracted-driving crashes. According to a study conducted by the CDC, 69 percent of U.S. drivers between the ages 18 and 64 admitted to talking on cell phones while driving within the last 30 days. Thirty-one percent of study participants in that same age group reported sending or reading emails or text messages while driving within the last 30 days.
How deadly is distracted driving? According to the CDC, these accidents killed 3,154 people in 2013. More than 400,000 suffered injuries.
If you were injured by a driver who was speeding, intoxicated or distracted, contact the Crosson Law Group, LLC. As a personal-injury attorney in Marietta, Ken Crosson can represent your interests and fight for the highest possible settlement. Call 678-909-0770 today to schedule a free consultat