If a car crash in New York has left you with injuries and mounting medical bills, know that you may be eligible for compensation. In any case, you’re not alone. In 2019, some 4.4. million people had to seek medical attention for car crash injuries. Though this represents a 2% decline from 2018, the numbers are still incredibly high.
Auto accident fatalities have gone down
This was just one of the preliminary estimates that the National Safety Council released for 2019. It says that car crash deaths saw a similar 2% decline compared to 2018 but are still alarming. The estimation is 38,800 people whereas 39,404 died in 2018, and 40,231 died in 2017. If the 2018 data holds up, then it makes sense to predict that distracted driving and drowsy driving will continue to be major factors.
Some states safer than others
Fatalities dropped 31% in Vermont, 30% in New Hampshire, 21% in South Dakota and Washington, D.C., and 16% in Alaska. On the other hand, Maine saw a 35% jump, Wyoming a 32% increase and Delaware a 20% rise. The differences are understandable as states vary in their responses to unsafe driving trends. Ten large cities adopted a Vision Zero model for reducing crashes, and Utah became the only state to lower its legal limit for blood alcohol content from 0.08 to 0.05.
How to lower the crash rates even more
Individuals must do their part in reducing crash rates by being defensive on the road, avoiding distractions, getting more rest to avoid fatigue and recognizing the effects of their medications on driving. Parents should familiarize themselves with their teens’ driving habits, correcting them when necessary. Responding to recalls, learning about safety systems and adding new features are important as well.
A lawyer to give you personal attention
The personal injury claim that you intend to file deserves the personal attention of a lawyer, so you may want to schedule a case evaluation with one. If you hire an attorney, he or she may help with every step, including the gathering of evidence and the negotiating of a settlement.