Recent studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) show that individuals under the age of thirty-four years old are among the hardest hit of injuries and fatalities in vehicle-related accident occurrences. Every year, approximately 40,000 deaths are the result of auto accidents. The average rate per day of the fatalities reaches up to 115. Auto accidents also cost American taxpayers the outstanding amount of 150 billion dollars, every year.
In 2005, here is the percentage of accidents on various motor vehicles leading to injuries and fatalities.
On Cars:
Injury accidents – 1,893,000 (57.6%)
Fatal accidents – 25, 029 (42.2%)
On Trucks:
Injury accidents – 82, 000 (2.5%)
Fatal accidents – 4, 932 (8.3%)
On Buses
Injury accidents – 12, 000 (0.4%)
Fatal accidents – 278 (0.5%)
On Motorcycles
Injury accidents - 12, 000 (0.4%)
Fatal Accidents – 4, 655 (7.8%)
You face the risk of being involved in at least one auto accident during your lifetime. Thus, it is still important to be aware of your rights related to different cases of auto accident involvement.
What should rank high on your priorities if involved in an auto accident?
•Reporting the incident to authorities
•Filing an accident report, both for purposes of filing insurance claims and for identifying who had been at fault
•Seeking immediate medical treatment
•Gathering related information in connection with the accident
•Writing down pertinent details like names, addresses, telephone numbers and statements of other parties involved in the accident and witnesses, if any
Usual injuries sustained by victims as a result of a motor-vehicle related accident:
-whiplash
-head and brain injury
-paralysis
-joint, bone and muscle injuries
Even if you did not feel that you were injured, you must take the precaution of seeking medical attention as soon as possible. You can claim for damages from the insurance company of the person found to be at fault for the accident, depending on how you and your family's life are affected by the incident.
You may also become interested in filing personal injury lawsuit against the parties at fault or with liability for the accident in case the auto accident you have been involved in resulted to extensive property damages or loss, wrongful death or other extensive or lasting injuries and losses.
Make sure to consult or hire only the extensively experienced lawyer with specialized practice related in auto and other vehicle accidents prior to doing any legal action.
