Like other residents in Ohio, you rely on your motor vehicle to get to and from destinations. Whether it is for work, school, errand or other personal reasons, automobiles are efficient ways to get to one place to another in a timely matter. While motor vehicles are beneficial, they do not come without risks. Although you do not think about it each time you get behind the wheel, you are faced with the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle collision each and every time you drive.
Growing concern for motor vehicle accidents
While automobiles are designed with safety features to prevent and avoid injuries and death in the event of a car accident, the reality is that these features to not prevent car accidents from happening. The numbers themselves illustrate that automobile crashes remain a concern on roadways in Ohio and across the nation.
In the past two decades, more Americans have died in car accidents than they did in both World Wars. This is a shocking amount, especially since the vast majority of these fatal crashes were caused by motorists that were distracted, speeding or drunk.
Another data comparison used to illustrate the importance of reducing these numbers is that of the opioid epidemic. From 2006 to 2012, nearly 100,000 people died from opioids. During that same timeframe, almost twice as many died in automobile crashes caused by speeding, drunk and distracted drivers.
Causes of fatal crashes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 94% of crashes are caused by human error. This means that some, although very few, are simply accidents that could not be prevented, the negligence of a motorist is the most likely cause of a crash. While this could look like failing to signal a turn and not checking blind spots and mirrors before changing lanes, it is far more common for an accident occur for three reasons. This includes speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving.
If you have been harmed in a car accident or lost a loved one in a crash, there are options available to you. A civil action, such as a personal injury claim or wrongful death action, could help hold a negligent driver accountable for the crash and help with the recovery for compensation for losses suffered. While it is an emotional and overwhelming time to navigate, by fully understanding the situation, the cause of the crash and what rights you have, you could overcome the harms caused by the accident.