As we navigate through life, one of the most common and most routine activities most of us do is the act of driving. Yet, the surge of road-related injuries across the United States has created a public health crisis. With this blog, we will touch on some of the staggering statistics, especially those highlighted in the recent New York Times article, “Why Are American Drivers so Deadly?” 2021 marked a 15-year high in fatalities, caused by increased speeding, decreased seatbelt use, a resurgence in DUIs, and a rise in distracted driving. We have seen an increase in clients who are suffering from serious injuries related to car crashes, which further backs up these statistics. At Debbie Taussig Law, we are here to help injured people recover, all while fighting the insurance companies to get our clients compensation.
The Unseen Consequences of Blunt-Force Injuries
When a victim of a car crash enters the ER, medical providers will immediately begin to assess the patient, who may or may not be aware of their injuries. Some injuries, by their very nature, are easier to pinpoint and give the medical team a starting place for assessment. Blunt-force injuries are often considerably harder to diagnose than other types of injuries: “A gunshot wound is its own clear evidence, in the form of a ragged perforation, of where the surgeon must focus his or her attention. But a body battered in a car crash tends to yield fewer clues — the damage can be invisible to the untrained eye.”
Many times, patients are released, simply because they do not have broken bone or a brain bleed – however, those patients may still suffer from serious injuries. These patients are often confused and vulnerable, and they quickly find out that the insurance companies are not friends – but are only trying to save the insurance companies money. That is where we step in and take that burden off of our clients’ shoulders so that they can focus on healing.
Steady Increases in Road Fatalities
From 2020 to 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that the number of crashes in the United States soared 16 percent, to more than six million, which is about 16,500 wrecks a day. In 2021, 42,939 Americans died in car crashes, and many of the crashes involved intoxicated or unrestrained drivers or vehicles traveling above the speed limit. Data showed that drivers were speeding more and running through intersections. Seatbelt use was down, too. Plus, DUI arrests had returned to previous highs, which meant that one in every ten arrests were linked to a suspected DUI.
Distracted driving is another cause of fatal crashes. More than 32,000 Americans were killed in wrecks caused by distracted driving between 2012 and 2021, with a roughly 11 percent increase in the number of deaths from 2020 to 2021. People are more angry and anxious than ever before — and they spend more time in their car than ever before. This combination, along with a growing list of ways that people can become distracted can lead to a tragic outcome for innocent people. We understand how unfair it seems that someone who drove carelessly can cause so much pain – we are here to take on the stress that comes with fighting the insurance companies, so that our clients can have one less worry on their minds.
Contact a Boulder Car Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a car crash because someone chose to drive while under the influence or was distracted behind the wheel, you may be entitled to significant compensation. At Debbie Taussig Law, we help clients who have been seriously injured by people who were careless behind the wheel. Call us today at 303-442-0176 and let us take the burden off of your shoulders so that you can heal and protect your future.
