Did you know that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are up to 5.5 million car accidents in the U.S. per year? It is no wonder, then, that auto accidents also account for the majority of personal injury claims. Accidents clean out back accounts, injure thousands of Americans, and sometimes even leave victims unable to work. How can you avoid auto accidents, and what should you do if you get into a car crash?
The Top Three Leading Causes of Auto Accidents
Avoiding auto accidents starts with knowing how and why they happen. The top three leading causes of car accidents, including crashes and collisions, include speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving. In fact, speeding takes 13,000 lives per year and plays a role in one out of three fatal crashes, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) reveal that an average of 1.4 million Americans are arrested for drunk driving every year. A DUI arrest can result in license suspension, job loss, jail time, and fines up to $25,000. Finally, 20% of crashes can be attributed to distracted driving. Seemingly harmless actions, like texting, make accidents 23 times more likely. Drivers can dramatically reduce risks of collisions by avoiding these high risk behaviors.
Filing an Auto Accident Injury Claim
Being careful and avoiding high-risk situations, however, is not foolproof. That raises reasonable questions like, what should you do after a car accident? If an accident is unavoidable, there is a specific course of action you should take:
- Always file a police report. Insurance experts remind drivers that, whenever possible, police reports should include facts only. Drivers should avoid blatantly admitting fault, if possible.
- Keep accurate records. When filing a car accident injury claim, you will need to communicate concrete details. Ask for a record of the original police report if possible. Record the date, time, location, weather conditions, and any other relevant details.
- Consider consulting an auto accident law firm. Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to make money, not necessarily reach a fair settlement. An auto accident law firm can help you get due compensation.
Drivers file an accident claim once every 17.9 years, according to Forbes. Reduce your likelihood of crashing by avoiding high-risk behaviors. When accidents occur, keep insurance premiums low and receive fair compensation by documenting the details.
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