Cost of car crashes are problematic

On behalf of Aiken and Aiken P.C. Personal Injury Attorneys posted in Car Accidents, on Monday, October 6, 2014

Motor vehicle accidents continue to be a problem in both Massachusetts and the U.S. at large. Each year, tens of thousands of people are injured or killed on the nation’s roadways due to negligent, reckless and careless driving. Drunk driving accidents continue to occur despite increased enforcement and stricter laws. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 2012 brought an increase in accidents following a six-year period of decline. More than 2.3 million people were injured and 33,561 people were killed in accidents across the country. Alcohol use accounted for 31 percent of all fatal accidents. Other causes for accidents included distracted driving, running red lights, using cellphones, fatigue and speeding. NHTSA also reported that the costs to the national economy in 2010 from loss of productivity and life were almost $1 trillion. In Massachusetts, 349 people lost their lives as a result of motor vehicle accidents while an additional 4,384 people suffered serious injuries in 2012. The year brought a total of 108,379 reported vehicle crashes in the state. Massachusetts’ figures for both fatalities and serious injuries decreased for 2012 from the 2011 totals, but the total number of accidents increased over those of the previous year. As more people use cellphones and while people still continue to drink and drive or drive in a negligent manner, vehicle crashes are expected to be a continuing problem. For victims of auto accidents, the costs can be significant. Victims may be able to recover their costs and expenses associated with auto accidents by filing civil lawsuits. They could seek medical expenses, funeral expenses, attorney’s fees, lost income and other damages from those who caused the crashes through negligent acts. Source: http://www.rmiia.org/auto/traffic_safety/Cost_of_crashes.asp, “Cost of Auto Crashes & Statistics“, October 03, 2014