National Statistics for Car Accidents

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, December 02, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Despite increasingly strict laws intended to cut down on dangers such as distracted driving and drunk driving, car accidents continue to result in many serious injuries every year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 43,000 people are killed and roughly 2.9 million others are injured in car accidents every year.

The following statistics, taken from 2009, illustrate the devastating impact of car accidents in our country:

- More than 5.5 million car accidents occurred across the country in 2009
- 61% of all fatal car accidents were single vehicle accidents
- Almost 50% of all fatal car accidents occurred on roads with posted speed limits of 55 mph or above
- More fatal car accidents occurred in August (2,864 accidents) than in any other month
- The most common times for car accidents were between 5:00 and 5:59 pm on weekdays and between 2:00 and 2:59 on weekends
- Motor vehicle accidents were the most common cause of death for children and teenagers
- On average, four children under the age of 14 are killed and approximately 500 are injured every day in car accidents
- Approximately 32% of all fatal car accidents involved drunk drivers
- Approximately 31% of fatal car accidents were caused by speeding

Distracted Driving Statistics

As we become increasingly reliant on handheld electronic devices such as cell phones and iPods, distracted driving has posed a greater danger to drivers across the country. Consider the following facts:

- At any moment in time, approximately 812,000 drivers are using cell phones on our nation's roadways
- According to the NHTSA, 20% of all car accidents resulting in injury during 2009 involved distracted driving
- In 2009, 5,474 people died and 448,000 others were injured in car accidents caused by distracted driving
- Approximately 18% if distracted driving-related fatalities involved cell phone usage
- 16% of all fatal car accidents involving drivers under the age of 20 were related to distracted driving
- Drivers using handheld devices face a four times greater risk of getting into a car accident serious enough to cause injury
- Using a cell phone while driving impairs your reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08

Getting Compensation for Your Damages

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. Unfortunately, insurance companies often go to great lengths to avoid paying you the benefits to which you are entitled following a car accident. In order to ensure that your rights are protected, you will need to work with an experienced car accident lawyer in your area.

Car accident claims can be very complex. Your attorney will need to evaluate the evidence to conclusively prove that the other driver was at fault. Your lawyer must also be able to accurately estimate the total value of damages you suffered, which may include:

- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering

For more information about car accidents in the United States, please visit the website of Atlee, Hall & Brookhart, serving clients in Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania at www.atleehall.com.

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