Traffic Collisions: Causes and Effects
In August 2009, Renee Zellweger was hit by a driver who was making an illegal U turn. Fortunately, the actress did not sustain any injuries and her car only needed minor repairs.
The “Transformers” star Shia LaBeouf was detained on the suspicion of drunk driving. According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Wolf, LaBeouf’s pickup crashed so hard against another vehicle that the truck rolled over. The incident happened while the actor was trying to turn left. His knee and hands were injured.
The two celebrities are just some of the hundreds and thousands of people who have experienced being involved in traffic collisions.
Traffic Collisions in the United States
A traffic collision happens when a vehicle collides with other road occupants like other vehicles and pedestrians. Motor vehicle accident is one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the country.
According to Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), there were 34,017 fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes happened in 2008 alone. Passengers and drivers are not the only ones who are hurt in this accident. Even pedestrians are often hit by vehicles under various circumstances. Statistics from FARS shows that 4, 378 pedestrians were also killed in the same year.
Here are two usual causes of traffic collisions:
Driver Fatigue
Statistics show that around 100,000 accidents that happen in the country annually are caused by drowsy drivers. This condition is most evident from 11 p.m.-8 a.m. because this time is usually used for resting.
Drivers who are exhausted may show different symptoms including frequent yawning and heavy eyelids. These drivers tend to misjudge traffic situations. The Motor Accidents Authority (MAA) offered different tips to make sure that drivers are well rested before they drive. Here are the following tips:
- Do not drink before driving.
- If you are under medication, find out if the effects of your medicine can affect your driving.
- Pull over when you feel discomfort and drowsiness or when you are unable to concentrate on your driving.
Aggressive Driving
The New York State Police has defined an aggressive driver as anyone who operates a motor vehicle in a pushy, selfish, or bold manner without considering the rights or safety of other highways and street users.
Some behaviors that indicate aggressive driving include:
- Not following traffic signals
- Rude or aggressive gestures
- Changing lanes in an unsafe way
If you meet an aggressive driver, here are some of the things you can do to protect yourself:
- Keep a proper distance between you and the aggressive driver.
- Do not panic.
- Change lanes when it is safe to do so.
When traffic collisions happen due to the reasons stated above, it is best that legal representation is acquired. The knowledge of lawyers in the area of personal injury can help their clients receive just compensation.
