Think you’re safe on the road? What you don’t know might hurt you
You’re a safe and conscientious driver, always following traffic laws and looking out for unsafe driver conduct. Chances are, you are prepared to prevent and avoid car accidents, or so you may think.
Traffic safety and conditions can change like the wind, leaving you ill-prepared to manage risky situations. The following sections shine a harsh spotlight on car accident risks U.S. drivers currently face.
Statistics that teach
Did you know that car accidents result in about 2 million permanent injuries annually? Examples include paralysis, traumatic brain injury, amputations and severe spinal trauma. Permanent injuries can result in a lifetime of constant medical care that most cannot afford.
More disturbing crash stats:
- Aggression. Driving angrily and aggressively endangers everyone on the road and contributes to car accidents. Research indicates that some 60% of traffic fatalities involve road rage or aggressive driving.
- Location. You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating. Most crashes happen within 20 miles of where the person resides. Further, accidents occur more often in rural, less populated areas than in urban locations.
- Teens. Who would you consider the worst driver, a 90-year-old or a 16-year-old? Teen drivers represent America’s most dangerous motorists, in part due to their inexperience.
- Knowledge. About 40% of currently licensed drivers would not pass if they had to retake the written driving exam today. The reason is we lose a portion of the knowledge we learned when studying for a driving license test.
Continue to practice safety and caution when sharing the road with others. Should a car accident leave you injured despite your best practices, it is time to learn how Pennsylvania car accident and injury compensation laws can ensure your recovery.