Many Left in Critical Condition After Accidents
Car accidents are the leading cause of death among Americans ages 5 to 34, but even a non-fatal accident can leave the lives of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians forever altered. Every year, more than 2 million people are taken to the emergency room for serious injuries sustained in traffic collisions. Here are some important facts about car accident injuries you may not have known:
· While young adults ages 16 to 20 make up less than 7% of the driving population, they are involved in about 18% of all car accidents in the United States. Americans ages 18 to 24 have the highest rate of serious injuries sustained in car accidents.
· Due to declining faculties, older people are increasingly likely to be involved in car accidents as they age; they are also at greater risk of serious injury. Drivers over the age of 85 are up to four times more likely to be hurt or killed in car accidents than teenage drivers.
· Not wearing seat belts is a leading cause of injury. Despite seat belt laws in most states requiring adults to buckle up, millions of Americans—drivers and passengers alike—do not wear seat belts, which raises the likelihood of injury or death in a car accident by as much as 50%. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults younger than 35 are most likely to fail to wear seat belts.
· Even wearing seat belts may not be sufficient protection for more than half of the population. According to a recent study by the American Journal of Public Health, women are much more likely than men to be injured in car accidents. The study attributes the disparity to the failure of safety systems in older cars to account for different body types and seating postures.
If you or a loved one has been badly injured in a car accident, it’s imperative that you find the right personal injury attorney to take your case. Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., is an Orlando personal injury attorney who practices in medical malpractice, car accidents, wrongful death, and other personal injury claims. Call (407) 843-6353 today for more information.
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