Automobile Accidents

Auto accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in all age groups. Approximately 6,000,000 auto accidents occur each year with 40,000 fatalities. Nearly 43,000 people died in car accidents in 2002, reports the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This figure has increased by 1.5% from the previous year. Although the number of traffic-related injures has declined from 3.03 million to 2.92 million, the number of fatalities due to drunk driving has steadily increased. Alcohol is involved in 40% of fatal accidents, and speeding is involved in 29% of all vehicle accident fatalities.

The numbers are staggering. About 26% of drivers have been involved in a car crash in the last five years. There were 17,419 alcohol-related fatalities in 2002. More than half the fatalities reported --59%--were not wearing seatbelts. Deaths from rollover crashes totaled 82%. For the past five years, motorcycle fatalities have been steadily increasing. Deaths of motorcyclists aged 50 and over have climbed by 26%.

Every 13 minutes, there is a death caused by a motor vehicle accident. Car accidents claim our very youngest and our very oldest populations. Americans from the ages of 1-33 are more likely to die from a car accident than from anything else. On the other side of the spectrum, elderly adults aged 75 and up are most affected by motor vehicle crashes. The good news is fatalities of children seven and under have dropped, most likely due to safety seats. Also, pedestrian deaths have declined by 1.9 percent.

Most car accidents are entirely preventable. Drivers are most likely distracted, tired or possibly drunk. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reports that most drivers engage in activities that take their attention away from the road. These activities include talking with other passengers: 81%; playing with the radio or CD: 66%; eating or drinking: 49%; using a cell phone: 25%.

It is important to know what to do to protect the legal rights of yourself and your loved ones. Selecting the right car accident lawyer is an important decision. You should choose someone who is experienced, aggressive and dedicated to working to get fair compensation for your injuries.

We have represented more than one thousand people injured as a result of automobile accidents, with over one hundred recoveries in excess of one hundred thousand dollars and several with recoveries of one million dollars or more.

Mr. Corwin can be emailed at scott@sjclaw.com.