For most of us, that journey to work is a tedious hour of sitting in traffic and thinking about what you’re going to have for dinner after work. But each time you get in your car you are at risk of being involved in a road traffic collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are 5.5 million collisions on US roads every year. And your chances of injury are high.
Those collisions result in three million injuries. Sadly, there have also been around forty thousand deaths each year from road traffic accidents. The most common injuries include whiplash that causes significant pain in the neck. The neck is vulnerable in a car collision as the head moves violently in several directions upon impact. The muscles and tendons are torn and overstretched causing inflammation, stiffness, and mobility problems.
Headaches are a common symptom of whiplash too. Many sufferers of whiplash continue to have neck pain for the rest of their lives, even after treatment. Other common injuries can include crush damage to the legs and knees when the front of the car is compacted on impact. Cuts can also be caused by broken window glass. But these injuries may only be the beginning of much tougher times ahead.
Many injuries require some medical treatment with the help of a car accident doctor following a vehicular accident. But some injuries require care over the long term. Courses of pain killers and treatment for mobility problems can last for months or even years. This becomes an ongoing cost as a result of the accident. And if your home needs adapting because your injuries have been life-changing, this will have an even greater impact on your wallet.
This is why so many people approach Personal Injury Lawyers following an accident. Accidents often happen as a result of someone not paying due care and attention. This makes that person negligent, and a case can be made against them for compensation. If you are the victim of a car accident, you can already see just how much you might suffer both physically and financially. That’s why hiring a personal injury lawyer for auto accident attorney services is important to have an expert assist you in claiming for those costs.
Some accidents can cause injuries that mean you are unable to work to earn an income. Over time, this could even cost you your home. Fortunately, this is rare, and there are things you can do to prevent it. Start by asking your vehicle accident lawyer to get involved as soon as possible. Some employers are able to adapt your role and your workstation to better suit your new needs. If you can work at all, this is better for you in the long term than giving up.
Resolving complicated compensation claims can take a long time. This can take a toll on your emotional and mental health too. It’s important to keep your life moving along, rather than getting too bogged down in the legal processes. That’s what your Personal Injury Lawyer is for. If things have changed dramatically for you, then consider some talking therapies to help you come to terms with it.
Many motor vehicle collisions are relatively minor. There may be no injuries, and only a small amount of damage to the car you were in. It is still important to document all that has occurred though. You can use your smartphone to take photos of the scene. If the other party involved is threatening in any way, you might choose to find some other people to help you feel safer. Ask them for their name and contact details so they can act as witnesses if necessary. If anyone has been injured, you should call the emergency services.
The police may attend your accident scene. It’s important to be fully cooperative and do as they ask. Your vehicles may be causing traffic to back up. While your mind might not be on the convenience of others, the police have a job to do to keep the highways open and running smoothly. Backed up traffic can also prevent the emergency services from gaining access to you and other people in need.
Insurance companies that are involved in the incident will take statements from everyone involved. They also need any witness statements provided. This evidence could be used to decide who was to blame. Negligence is a term that is often used. The person deemed negligence will be the one required to financially make things right in most cases. But sometimes money doesn’t help.
Car accidents are sadly a fact of life. They affect the commuters running late for work because they’re in backed up traffic. They cause pain and financial pressure on those involved. And emergency departments are under pressure too. They provide the treatment for life-threatening injuries from road traffic collisions. So what can you do to avoid them?
Many incidents occur because of a momentary lapse of concentration. This can be caused by tiredness in a lot of cases. A lack of sleep affects the brain’s ability to focus. Driving and using the roads requires a lot of multitasking and attention. Adding additional tasks and distractions like reading a map, changing the radio, or drinking a coffee can cause problems. Other things that can reduce your ability to focus include alcohol and drugs.
Long journeys can cause a lot of mental fatigue. It’s important to break your journey up with plenty of breaks out of the car to get a rest. And bad weather can change how your vehicle responds. Extra weight in the car also means your vehicle will respond differently than when it’s just you. If it’s dark your visibility is reduced, and you are likely to be tired more quickly. Noisy children are a serious distraction. If they’re playing up, pull over until the situation is calm.
One of the most common reasons for an accident occurring is lateness. When we’re running late, we tend to rush, and we’re more willing to take risks. Avoiding distractions, and leaving ten minutes earlier could help prevent a situation. We’ve all got to use the roads. Drive safe out there.