Posted on January 17, 2023 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

It's been found that car accidents in rural areas are more likely to result in fatalities than car accidents in urban areas. This can sometimes surprise rural drivers, who feel relatively safe on wide-open roads.

But the statistics do show that far less driving happens on rural roads, and yet roughly half of all motor vehicle accidents occur there. So why is this? Below are two reasons to consider:

Speed limits are higher

To begin with, speed limits tend to be higher in rural areas, and that means that car accidents are more likely to be fatal simply because there is a correlation between speed and fatal injuries. Car accidents at lower speeds are much more likely to result in injuries that are not life-threatening.

So you may actually have more vehicles and more total accidents in the city, but there will be fewer fatal accidents if those crashes are taking place at relatively low speeds. Meanwhile, rural drivers may face far less traffic and see fewer accidents, but a higher percentage of those crashes will be fatal.

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 Posted on January 17, 2023 in Personal Injury

If you're struggling with "seasonal sun glare" during your winter commute, you're far from alone. New data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that sun glare is behindaround 9,000 wrecks every year.

That makes sun glare one of the most common environmental-related causes of motor vehicle accidents, second only to slippery roads due to rain, ice or snow.

Commuters struggle with sun the hardest in the fall and winter

The switch from daylight savings time back to standard time is the main cause of the problem for a lot of daily commuters. That puts them on the road right when the sun is closest to the horizon both when they're going to and coming home again from work.

As a representative of the Virginia Department of Transportation said, "In some locations the sun appears to hover just above the roadway, creating blinding glare that is difficult to avoid and can leave drivers unable to see the road and other vehicles around them."

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 Posted on January 17, 2023 in Drunk Driving Accidents

Many people spend time together over the holidays. The gatherings often include meals and drinks, and unfortunately, some may try to drive home after being overserved. Accidents caused by drunk drivers are extremely common this time of year.

If you're already recovering from injuries caused in a crash, you're likely extra cautious as you get back behind the wheel, which is wise – especially this time of year. The best way to avoid being the victim of a drunk or impaired driver is to be aware of the signs and stay as far away as possible.

Beware of these behaviors

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), there are a number of signs that a driver is under the influence. These include:

• Weaving between lanes or off the road
• Stopping for no reason
• Driving too slowly for the area
• Changing speeds for no apparent reason
• Tailgating
• Using turn signals incorrectly or for no reason

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 Posted on December 21, 2022 in Car Accidents

Most people think about automobile crashes occurring on highways or interstates, but you're more likely to be involved in a wreck in a rural area than you are in a city. This might seem backward, but people tend to shirk some common safety measures when they aren't driving around many other vehicles.

Looking at the contributing factors for crashes in each area provides valuable insight into how drivers can remain safer.

Common causes of city crashes

In the city, some of the more common causes of crashes include the high volume of vehicles on the roads and drivers tailgating the vehicle in front of them. Speeding and running red lights are also common crash factors, especially if the driver is distracted. Improper lane changes are also major causes of wrecks in the city because drivers may not signal properly or might try to switch lanes in too small of a clearance.

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 Posted on December 14, 2022 in Car Accidents

Technically speaking, a car accident should almost never happen. The majority of crashes are caused by human error. In theory, if everyone drove perfectly and followed the rules of the road, the vast majority of accidents would be canceled out. You would still have some from mechanical errors or roadway design problems, but it is likely that about nine out of 10 accidents would be prevented.

That being said, some accidents seem a bit more unlikely than others. A wrong-way accident is one of these. Many of these accidents happen on the interstate. Because the interstate has on-ramps and off-ramps controlling traffic, it should be virtually impossible for a driver to go the wrong way down the road. And yet it continues to happen, so you may be wondering why.

Impairment leads the way

You can sometimes find reasons that are rare and may only apply to a few specific situations. For example, maybe a young student driver got confused about which ramp they were supposed to take. Maybe an elderly person was still driving after they probably should have relinquished their license due to the onset of dementia. These types of accidents do happen from time to time.

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 Posted on November 18, 2022 in Car Accidents

There are many different examples of things that increase your odds of being involved in an accident or that directly cause an accident. For instance, distracted driving is a serious issue because people will often use their cellphones in the car. Drunk driving is also an issue because impaired drivers have slower reaction times and make unnecessary mistakes.

But one thing to keep in mind is that most accidents don't stem from one singular cause. The only reason that someone crashes isn't because they're impaired or because they're distracted. Often, there are a variety of issues that are all compounding each other and making the odds of a crash much more likely.

Removing inhibitions

For example, drinking alcohol before you drive helps to lower your inhibitions. You'll then take risks that you wouldn't necessarily take otherwise. This is why someone who has been drinking may be more likely to break the speed limit or engage in other unsafe driving practices when egged on by their friends, who are in the car with them.

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 Posted on November 14, 2022 in Car Accidents

In the immediate aftermath of a crash, someone may not be surprised that their heart is racing, that they can feel it pounding in their chest and that they're short of breath. After all, it was a sudden, traumatic event. However, if the impact of the crash caused a blow to the chest, those could be signs of an injury to the heart.

This kind of blunt injury can bruise the heart muscle, which is known as a myocardial contusion. It can also potentially damage one of the heart valves, which can cause heart failure or even tear the wall of the heart (a ventricular rupture).

Monitoring and testing can help determine if there was an injury to the heart

The last two of these, if not caught and treated (often surgically) immediately can prove fatal. Symptoms of any of these injuries can be obvious right away, or at least to first responders who can begin to do heart monitoring in the ambulance until further testing can be done at the hospital.

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 Posted on October 31, 2022 in Car Accidents

You may be aware that you can claim compensation for the damages suffered in a crash caused by a negligent driver. But just how much are you entitled to in settlement?

Usually, the circumstances of each accident vary, and the amount you can claim from your car accident claim is not determinable without the relevant facts of the crash. Here is what you need to know.

Compensation is relative to your damages

The injuries you suffer from an accident will, to a large extent, determine the amount you can recover with your claim. Remember, compensation is not meant to enrich you. Instead, it is supposed to make you whole again.

For instance, you may have incurred medical bills and other associated expenses when getting treatment for your injuries or missed work when recovering. In such a case, you may be entitled to compensation for these and other economic losses arising from your injuries.

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 Posted on October 17, 2022 in Car Accidents

Car crashes can result in catastrophic injuries and even fatalities. Many severe injuries are immediately obvious — for instance, an external wound that is bleeding profusely.

Importantly, not all severe or even life-threatening injuries are immediately apparent. You don't have to be bleeding externally to be in serious trouble. Internal injuries are every bit as dangerous, which is why it's important to know the signs and symptoms of internal bleeding.

Headaches and blurred vision

You didn't feel much pain in the immediate aftermath of the accident. However, now that you are home and the adrenaline has worn off, you have a headache and blurred vision. It's crucial that you don't ignore this as there could be a bleed on your brain.

Any type of physical trauma, particularly to the head, should be treated as a medical emergency whether or not there has been external bleeding. It's also vital to remember that the symptoms of serious head injuries can be delayed.

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 Posted on October 04, 2022 in Pedestrian Accidents

Walking is a wonderful and cost-effective form of exercise. However, it can also be extremely hazardous if you are not mindful of your surroundings. Most often, an accident that involves a pedestrian tends to result in serious (and at times fatal) injuries.

Here are some of the common distractions that can lead to preventable pedestrian accidents.

The phone in your hand

Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, your phone can be a great source of distraction. Whether you are making a call, texting, checking mail, gaming or checking your social media profile, it's all too easy to get so engrossed in your phone to the extent that you miss something going on around you.

That juicy story

If you are the type that loves chatting with others while driving or walking, you might want to think twice about this while on the road. A driver who is caught up in a conversation with their passengers or a pedestrian who is deep into a conversation while crossing the road might become so engrossed that they either cause an accident or put themselves in harm's way.

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