Over 50% of the road traffic deaths that occur throughout the world happen to adults between the ages of 15 and 44. Every year, the Association for Safe International Road Travel reported that more than 37,000 United States’ residents die as a result of being in a road crash. In 2015 alone, for example, an estimated 32,166 fatal motor vehicles crashes occurred within the United States.
There are a variety of situations that lead to serious accidents and fatalities. Driving while distracted or while under the influence of alcohol or other legal or illegal substances are just a few of the most common contributing factors. Fortunately, however, the number of drivers used their handheld cell phones or other types of electronic devices decreased from 2015 to 2016. In 2015, for example, 3.8% of drivers were using these devices and in the following year, this decreased to 3.3%.
It’s important to note that not all motor vehicle crashes are caused by drunk driving. Roughly 16% of these crashes were caused by people that were under the influence of either legal or illegal drugs. Almost 1.1 million drivers were arrested during 2015 for driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
If you or someone in your family has been seriously injured or died as a result of being in a vehicular accident, then it’s important to schedule a consultation with a personal injury law firm. Personal injury lawyers are able to review your case and advise you on the appropriate course of action. In addition to providing you with information on the nuances of your rights and responsibilities, personal injury lawyers will assist you with coping at this difficult time while continuing to take a practical course of action.
Your personal injury attorney will also inform you whether or not your case may need to go to trial. Personal injury cases are usually settled out of court, or pretrial, however. This applies to roughly 95% to 96% of personal injury cases. In the event that your case falls into the remaining four percent to five percent that does need to go to trial, your personal injury attorney will be there with you every step of the way.
