In the United States, car accidents are responsible for more than 40,000 deaths, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2009 reports.
Common Types of Crashes Leading to Fatalities
Figures from the federal Department of Transportation have shown that front-impact collisions, often referred to as head-on collisions, result in the most deaths every year, out of all types of car crashes.
Side-impact collisions are the second most deadly type of crash. Following side-impact crashes on the list are rollover accidents and read-impact collisions.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Drunk Drivers. Despite public awareness campaigns and stricter laws, a driver under the influence of alcohol is still the number one cause of fatal wrecks in the U.S. Studies show that nearly 40 percent of all fatal crashes are alcohol-related.
Pedestrian-Car Collisions. Almost 17 percent of auto accident fatalities were pedestrians who were hit by automobiles. Of those pedestrians, a large percentage each year was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Motorcycle-Car Collisions. Wrecks involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles consistently rank as 18 to 20% of the total collisions that cause fatalities each year.
Not Wearing Seat Belts. A driver or passenger's failure to wear a seat belt is a contributing factor in many fatal accidents. In fact, according to the DOT statistics, more than 60 percent of all people killed in auto accidents are not wearing seat belts, despite new laws aimed at public safety.
Other common factors in fatal collisions include speeding, texting while driving, cell phone use while driving, driver fatigue and adverse weather conditions.
Fatal Care Accidents and Legal Compensation
There is no amount of financial compensation that can make up for losing a loved one in a car accident. However, pursuing a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the parties responsible, and their insurance company, can help you pay for bills and expenses that can pile up after the death, such as medical care and burial expenses, among other damages.
Fatal automobile accidents are complex circumstances that require a personal injury legal team that can conduct a thorough and technical investigation for you and your family. You'll want to seek out an attorney who understands accident engineering and recreation, knows how to find and preserve key evidence and has experience with cases that are similar to your family's situation.
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If your family has suffered a loss due to a fatal car accident, and you live in the Orlando, Florida region, please visit the website of the experienced Florida car accident attorneys at Best & Anderson, P.A.