Motor Vehicle Accidents: 15 Surprising Statistics

Accidents are all too common on the roads today, as an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer Cheverly MD has to offer might attest. At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., our lawyers know that hundreds of local residents encounter their own vehicle accidents every year. Many of these collisions are just small fender benders. But when an accident is more than a simple collision, and when it results in serious harm to those involved in the crash, it’s imperative that these victims know that they could be able to recover financial damages through a injury claim or lawsuit.

At our firm, it’s important that we provide each of our clients with a motor vehicle accident lawyer Cheverly MD truly deserves. It’s just as important that we help our current and prospective clients learn as much as possible about the situation they are involved in. While it’s important to remember that every person’s car accident is unique, there are some overall trends that can help accident victims understand that they are not alone.

Motor Vehicle Accidents are More Common Than Some Americans Think.

While most Americans are aware that auto accidents happen on a daily basis, it may be surprising just how common these accidents are. Did you know:

• In 2014 there were an estimated 6 million traffic accidents reported to the police.
• It’s estimated that around 10 million accidents go unreported every year — making the actual number of motor vehicle accidents around twice as high as what can be measured.
• More than 2 million Americans sustained injuries from these accidents.
• For young adults ages 16 to 24, the leading cause of death in 2014 was attributed to injuries in motor vehicle accidents.
• Although private insurers pay around 50% of all accident costs, it’s estimated that the victims of accidents pay for approximately 25% of these costs through medical bills and lost wages.

Drunk Driving, Speeding, and Distracted Driving are Three Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents

There are many factors that can come into play in an accident, as a skilled motor vehicle accident lawyer in Cheverly MD will likely explain. However, certain behaviors and trends tend to appear more often than others in motor vehicle accidents. Three of the most common causes of auto accidents in the U.S. are drunken driving, speeding, and distracted driving.

• There were nearly 10,000 fatalities in the U.S. during 2014 because of drunk driving — translating to approximately one fatality every 53 minutes.
• Speeding is a factor in at least 29% of all fatal auto accidents in the U.S.
• The NHTSA estimates that speed-related collisions costs Americans at least $40 billion each year.
• In 2013, distracted driving was a factor in 16% of all vehicle crashes.
• More than 3,000 individuals sustained a fatal injury during this same year because of distracted driving, such as texting or eating.

If you’ve been injured in a collision, there are several other actions that may have caused the collision. An experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer Cheverly MD can provide will likely explain that some accidents have several causes that factored into a single collision.

There is a very High Economic Cost of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Anyone searching for a top motor vehicle accident lawyer Cheverly MD can trust might already know quite well that car accidents can cause substantial damage to the victim’s finance. Immediate medical care can result in thousands of dollars of medical bills. Long-term care, physical therapy, and/or cognitive therapy can be equally as expensive.

To make matters worse, a victim who has been seriously injured may also need to take time off from work in order to recover. Some injured victims are never able to recover fully, resulting in a partial or total disability that affects their job performance.

According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA),

• Americans pay approximately $242 billion every year (in tangible losses) because of motor vehicle crashes.
• When researchers factor in the intangible losses of accidents, such as lost productivity and lost companionship, the annual loss goes up to an estimated $836 billion.
• For every accident that causes a single fatality, the cost of this collision is around $1.4 million.

Research from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) shows that this trend affects accident victims on an individual level as well. According to this research,

• The average motor vehicle accident claim in 2013 was $3,144.
• When a driver or passenger was injured in the collision, the average claim during this same time was $15,443.

As a seasoned motor vehicle accident lawyer Cheverly MD depends on would likely attest, real accident claims can be much higher — or lower — than the average number reported. However, it is clear that many accident victims face several financial hurdles after being involved in a crash. At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., we understand how important it is for our legal team to provide counsel to accident victims who have been injured. Without fair compensation, these victims could potentially lose thousands of dollars for basic medical care — and all because of someone else’s mistake.

Contact a Local Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Cheverly MD Residents Can Depend On

If you or someone you love has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it’s very possible that you are dealing with severe injuries. Contacting a local motor vehicle accident lawyer Cheverly MD can trust isn’t about getting retribution; it’s about obtaining the financial compensation that you deserve after suffering so much. While it may not be possible to avoid car accidents entirely, it’s important to know that one local law firm has the grit and experience to represent you in negotiations or in court.

The legal team at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. is proud to provide each of our clients with a trustworthy Cheverly MD motor vehicle accident lawyer. We understand that auto accidents can wreak havoc on a victim’s entire life for years. While no amount of money can truly replace a person’s enjoy of life, a fair settlement may be able to help accident victims and their families through the healing process.

To schedule a free case evaluation with a top motor vehicle accident lawyer Cheverly MD trusts, contact Cohen and Cohen, P.C. today.