Road Traffic Injuries Are A Growing Concern

How common are car accident injuries?

Car accident injuries remain a serious problem that affects millions of people each year, according to a recent article published by the World Health Organization (WHO) about motor vehicle accident injuries and fatalities.

"Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to individuals, their families, and to nations as a whole," the WHO article states.

Despite the best efforts of traffic safety experts, car accident injuries continue to happen at an alarming rate. Each year, on average, anywhere from 20 million to 50 million people worldwide sustain a serious car accident injury. That's at least one injury every second of every day.

In addition, roughly 1.9 million people die in car accidents each year around the world, according to the WHO. As a result, car accident fatalities remain one the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide.

Who is most at risk for being injured in a car crash?

Certain people and age groups are more likely to be injured or killed in a car accident. According to the WHO, people most at risk of being hurt or dying in a car accident include:

Children and young adults under 29 years old – Car accidents are the leading cause of death for this age group.
Adults 18 to 59 years old – Two-thirds of all car accident fatalities involve this age group.
Men – Males are three times as likely to die in a car accident compared to females.

Common causes of car accident injuries

Serious car accidents often lead to various types of injuries, each with its own set of causes and consequences:

Whiplash: Whiplash commonly occurs in rear-end accidents when the force of impact suddenly causes the head to jerk forward and backward. This rapid movement strains the muscles and ligaments in the neck and shoulders, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Head Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur in high-speed collisions or accidents involving significant impact forces. These injuries may result from the head striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows, leading to concussions, contusions, or more severe brain trauma.
Facial Injuries: Facial injuries often occur when occupants are thrown forward upon impact, causing them to collide with the dashboard, airbag, or other interior components of the vehicle. This can result in cuts, bruises, fractures, or soft tissue injuries to the face, eyes, or mouth.
Broken Bones: Bone fractures commonly occur in accidents where occupants experience direct impact or excessive force, such as in head-on collisions or rollover accidents. Fractures may affect various bones in the body, including the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, or spine, depending on the nature of the crash.
Internal Injuries: The blunt force trauma sustained in a car accident can cause internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding. These injuries may go unnoticed initially but can lead to serious complications if left untreated, potentially resulting in life-threatening conditions.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Severe car accidents, particularly those involving high-speed collisions or rollovers, can cause spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal cord may lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, or impaired motor function below the site of injury, significantly impacting the victim's mobility and quality of life.
Chronic Pain: Injuries sustained in car accidents can cause chronic pain that persists for weeks, months, or even years following the crash. This ongoing discomfort may result from musculoskeletal injuries, nerve damage, or psychological trauma, affecting the victim's physical and emotional well-being.

Remember, if you've been injured in a car accident due to another party's negligence, seek medical attention and legal assistance to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why do car accidents happen that result in an injury?

In general, collisions occur because one driver did something they should not have been doing on the road. Examples include:

Speeding – For every 1 percent increase in speed, the likelihood of a car accident injury increases by 3 percent, and a car accident fatality increases by 4 percent, according to the WHO.
Drunk driving or impaired driving involving other drugs.
Distracted driving – Using a phone while driving increases the likelihood of a car crash by four times, according to the WHO.

What is the financial impact of a car accident?

Car accidents don't just cause injuries and fatalities. They also impact people financially.

"Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to individuals, their families, and to nations as a whole," the WHO says. Such financial "losses arise from the cost of treatment as well as lost productivity for those killed or disabled by their injuries, and for family members who need to take time off work or school to care for the injured."

In fact, according to the WHO, car accidents result in a 3 percent loss of gross domestic product for most countries worldwide. Based on such numbers, the financial impact of car accidents in the United States adds up to $699.6 billion each year.

How a car accident lawyer can help if you've been injured

Car accident injury claims often turn into complicated legal cases. Sometimes, the driver who caused your collision denies doing anything wrong. Other times, it's insurance companies that get in the way. It's also important to remember that each state has its own unique system for dealing with compensating car accident injury victims.

If you've been injured in a crash, our car accident lawyers at Recht Law Offices can help you every step of the way. Founded in 1952, our law firm has decades of legal experience fighting for the rights of injury victims and their families in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. As a result, we know how the legal system works in each state when it comes to car accident injury claims and lawsuits.

Get a law firm that will protect your rights and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation. We have offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Weirton, West Virginia, and we handle cases in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.