According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among people aged 3 to 33. Of the 6 million auto accidents that occur in the United States every year, about 3 million people are injured, and 2 million of these injuries are permanent. According to the World Health Organization, more than 40,000 people die in car accidents every year, and that number is expected to double by 2020. With close to a million licensed drivers navigating the roads in the United States every year, accidents are bound to happen.

Effects of Automobile Injury

Some people involved in car accidents have the good fortune of walking away unharmed. But for others, the physical, mental, and financial ramifications can be devastating. Common injuries sustained in auto injury include brain injury, spinal cord injury, back injury, knee damage, and whiplash. In addition to having to deal with the immediate physical and emotional ramifications of an accident, auto injury survivors must also deal with issues pertaining to finances and insurance. These issues can often be complex, leaving auto injury survivors hassling with insurance companies over treatment, and frequently dealing with large medical bills. If you or a loved one has recently been injured in an automobile accident, contact Newsome Law Firm and fill out a case evaluation form today. Our experienced team of attorneys can give you the legal guidance you need, and can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Causes of Automobile Accidents

Three main causes of automobile accidents are driver error, mechanical failure, and road conditions. Because both of these things can be avoided, it’s tragic that auto accidents occur at the rate they do. Drivers who are intoxicated cause a vast majority of auto injuries, as do drivers who are distracted by cell phones, laptops, the radio, and other gadgets. As a matter of fact, many states have banned the use of cell phones due to their distracting nature. Driver behavior such as rubbernecking, tailgaiting, and failure to follow traffic safety rules also causes a large number of automobile accidents. In addition to driver behavior, mechanical failure or lack of crashworthiness can also cause significant injury. Roof crush, seat back collapses, side impact failure, faulty seatbelts, tire tread separation, faulty airbags, improperly designed or installed child safety seats, and other failures can cause long-term or permanent injury to both the driver and/or passengers. Road conditions such as improperly lit roads, poor road design, faulty roadway drainage, lack of warnings and road signs, and improperly located telephone poles constitute highway hazards that frequently contribute to automobile accidents.

What To Do Immediately Following An Automobile Accident

The police should be called, and any injured parties should seek medical attention immediately. As soon as the victim is stabilized, the injured party or his or her loved ones should begin to get finances and insurance in order, and should request master copies of health insurance and automobile insurance policies, as well as any other insurance policies that may cover the accident. If the injured party is asked to sign papers from an insurance company, this should not be done until an attorney has had a chance to review the papers. An attorney will ensure the survivor isn’t waiving his or her rights or agreeing to a settlement sum that isn’t adequate to cover his or her care. If mechanical failure, lack of crashworthiness, or road hazards are suspected it’s important that as much evidence as possible is collected before it’s lost. Instruct those who tow and/or store the vehicle not to destroy it, and have someone take pictures of the accident scene as soon as possible. Finally, because statutes of limitations vary from state to state, it’s important that the person who has been injured in an automobile accident contacts an attorney right away. If you or a loved one has recently been injured in an automobile accident, contact Newsome Law Firm and fill out a case evaluation form today. Our experienced team of attorneys can give you the legal guidance you need, and can help you get the compensation you deserve.