The High Cost of Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you have suffered an injury in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, with the help of a top motor vehicle accident lawyer Gaithersburg MD has to offer, you may be able to recover your damages. Motor vehicle accidents can be costly. In addition to expensive repairs that you may have to make on your vehicle, medical costs for your injury can be financially catastrophic. An experienced lawyer from the legal firm of Cohen and Cohen, P.C. can represent you and your best interests. Our attorneys have protected the rights of thousands of personal injury victims.

A motor vehicle accident lawyer Gaithersburg MD residents appreciate having on their side can negotiate a settlement on your behalf. If necessary, he or she can file a lawsuit against the negligent party or parties responsible for the auto accident which caused your injury. If your loved one was killed or injured in a motor vehicle accident, an attorney from Cohen and Cohen, P.C. can file a wrongful death suit against those responsible.

A motor vehicle accident lawyer in Gaithersburg MD can review your particular case to determine what costs you may be able to claim for reimbursement. Here is some general information about the cost of auto accidents for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians:

Fatalities and Injuries from Motor Vehicle Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a study in May 2014 that revealed motor vehicle crashes in the United States cost almost $1 trillion in 2010 due to loss of life and a loss of productivity for non-fatal accident victims. If you are unable to work because you were injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, a motor vehicle accident lawyer Gaithersburg MD victims hire may be able to recover lost wages on your behalf. Talk to an attorney at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. to find out more.

NHTSA estimates that at least 10 million motor vehicle accidents go unreported every year. The agency also noted that though traffic fatalities in 2013 dropped 3.1 percent from 2012, someone died in an auto accident every 16 minutes on average. Injuries from traffic accidents dropped 2.1 percent in 2013 as compared to 2012.

If you are considering filing a wrongful death suit after losing a loved one in an accident, contact a motor vehicle accident lawyer Gaithersburg MD families turn to for legal help. One of our experienced attorneys at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. can review your case during a free consultation and provide you with an open and honest assessment of your legal options.

Though the severity of injuries from car accidents is on the decline, medical costs are on the increase. The cost of lost wages, various out of pocket expenses, and medical care grew eight percent. With the help of an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer Gaithersburg MD drivers turn to after a collision, you may be able to get compensatory damages from the at fault driver.

Causes of Accidents and Their Aftermath

1. Impaired or drunk driving. More than 10,000 people died in 2013 in alcohol related vehicle accidents. Thirty-one percent of all vehicle accidents that year were due to drunk or impaired driving crashes. Drunk driving cost the United States economy around $199 billion due to quality-of-life losses and deaths.
2. Speeding. NHTSA reports that in 2013, speed was the cause of 9,613 deaths from accidents. The cost was $40.4 billion that year for Americans. In 29 percent of all fatal accidents in 2013, speed was a contributing factor.
3. Running a red light. More than 900 people die every year from accidents that occur because a driver does not stop at a red light. Almost 2,000 people are injured in those accidents. Pedestrians and passengers account for approximately 50 percent of the fatalities.
4. Fatigue. The Automobile Association of America’s Traffic Safety Foundation reported in 2014 that 37 percent of drivers have fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once. Fatigue is responsible for 21 percent of fatal accidents and 13 percent of accidents that caused serious injuries. A 2013 study by the organization reported that more than 28 percent of all drivers had driven while extremely tired within the previous 30 days. A motor vehicle accident lawyer Gaithersburg MD provides might attest that driver fatigue is all too common in Maryland-area crashes.
5. Cell phone usage. NHTSA reported that in 2012, 1.5 percent of drivers used their phone to call, text, or use the Internet while driving. The highest usage of cell phones while driving were among 16- to 24-year olds. Drivers aged 70 and older had the lowest use. A 2012 study by State Farm found that nearly half of drivers between the ages of 18 and 29 used their cell phone while driving.  
6. Distracted driving. NHTSA reported that in 2013, distracted driving accounted for almost 3,000 fatal vehicle accidents. That number of fatal accidents accounted for 10 percent of all fatal accidents in the United States that year. Distracted driving was also blamed for 16 percent of all vehicle accidents in 2013 and 18 percent of injury accidents.

Injuries Due to Motor Vehicle Accidents

In 2013, more than 6,000 people were hurt in auto accidents. On average that year, a car accident occurred every 14 seconds.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2010 that productivity losses and medical costs for vehicle accidents topped $99 billion, or about $500 for every licensed driver in the United States. A motor vehicle accident lawyer Gaithersburg MD residents respect can help you recover medical costs and lost wages due to your accident.

A Gaithersburg MD Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Who Can Help You

At Cohen and Cohen, P.C. our attorneys work hard for our clients. They do everything possible to obtain the highest possible settlement and recover your accident costs. We are available 24/7 including evenings and weekends. Call us at (202) 999-3284 when you need a motor vehicle accident lawyer Gaithersburg MD accident victims can trust.