Car accidents have become a serious problem in the United States, including the state of Arizona. Although the number of car accidents reported had been on a downward trend in the last few years, there was a significant increase in 2012.
Of all the reasons of car accidents, one of the major causes is distracted driving. According to the recent census, car accident related deaths increased by 3.3% from 32,479 in 2011 to 33,561 in 2012.
Driving while intoxicated was noted as a major form of distracted driving resulting in accidents. A driver is said to be driving while intoxicated if his or her blood alcohol level registers greater than 0.08%. Drunk driving accidents amounted to 31% of total fatalities in 2012 and increased by 4.6% from 2011 to 2012.
A major cause of fatalities reported in car accidents are occupants of the car being unrestrained not wearing seat belts. Despite numerous warnings by authorities, drivers and passengers often overlook the fact that driving unrestrained puts a person in major peril. A victim of car accidents may suffer severe injuries from head injuries, spinal cord injuries, major permanent disabilities and even possibly death, following an accident.
If the accident was due to driver negligence, the victim and his or her family may be able to sue for damages and compensation. A driver found responsible for causing a car accident may be subjected to various penalties, including revocation of driving license, heavy fines and possible imprisonment. Hefty insurance premiums and a loss of reputation in the community may also be other repercussions following an accident.
Source: NHTSA.DOT.gov, “2012 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview,” accessed on Aug. 19, 2014
Source: NHTSA.DOT.gov, “2012 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview,” accessed on Aug. 19, 2014