Head-On Collisions
According to the U.S Census Bureau, head-on collisions are among the most dangerous and deadly of all motor vehicle accidents. The injuries that result from these accidents can often result in lasting disability or death for their victims. Our attorneys will arrange to investigate the circumstances and build a winning case.
High Speed Collisions
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2012, 10,219 lives were lost due to speed-related accidents, When you speed your reaction time decreases. Severity of the crash as well as the amount of time it takes to stop increases. In high-speed collisions, your safety equipment (seatbelts and airbags) are less effective and the car itself affords no protection from serious injury. The survivors may endure long-term and/or devastating injuries or death coupled with the expense of the collision. Our car accident attorneys can help.
Road Rage
Road rage is defined as aggressive or angry behavior by a driver of an automobile or other road vehicle. Such behavior might include rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or making threats. A “raging” driver can be held criminally responsible if their behavior causes an accident.; it is an assault by one motor vehicle driver against the other operator or passengers.
Some advice when facing road rage:
- Do not confront the aggressor
- Avoid eye contact or gesturing
- Report aggressive driving if possible
- Get out of the way
Cell Phone Usage
A CDC study analyzed 2011 data on distracted driving, including talking on a cell phone or reading or sending texts or emails behind the wheel.
- 69% of drivers in the United States ages 18-64 reported that they had talked on their cell phone while driving within the 30 days before they were surveyed.
- 31% of U.S. drivers ages 18-64 reported that they had read or sent text messages or email messages while driving at least once within the 30 days before they were surveyed according to the Centers for Disease Control.
If it can’t wait, pull over!
Drunk Driving Accidents
We are all aware of the risk of combining alcohol with automobiles. Yet, too many of us believe “one drink won’t hurt.” Drunk Driving is a choice. Tragically, drunk driving is one of the leading causes of injuries and death on our nation’s roads today. When a driver chooses to break the law and operate a vehicle after drinking, they have just chosen to gamble with a life.
Impaired judgment results in improper speeds (too fast or too slow), failure to or incorrect turns and stops, and rear-end collisions, to name a few. In some cases, the supplier of the alcohol may be found negligent as well.
The victim of a drunk driving accident is often left with overwhelming emotional trauma as well as expensive and sometimes debilitating personal injuries. Injuries can range from minor scratches to complete paralysis or death.
2014 NYS Drunk Driving Statistics (courtesy of nys.gov)
Drunk driving fatalities (.08 BAC or higher): 364 representing 30.4% of all total traffic deaths, a 7.1% increase from last year.
Alcohol related crash injuries (.01 BAC or higher): 6,019
Alcohol related crashes (.01 BAC or higher): 8,368
Side Impact Collisions
Also called “t-boning”. A side impact collision occurs when the front of an oncoming vehicle strikes the side of your vehicle. Most of these incidents occur at intersections as the result of a failure to yield at a stop sign or red light.
The seriousness of side impact collisions depends on several factors, including the speed and weight of the oncoming vehicle, and point of impact.
Fatigue
Falling asleep at the wheel is very common. Nearly four percent of deadly crashes nationwide involve sleepy drivers, and hundreds more are injured every year from drivers who have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Car accidents resulting from fatigue are always preventable…please pull over.
Truck drivers are a huge concern for they repeatedly drive while fatigued. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented rules limiting the hours a driver may be on the road. The FMCSA estimates the new rule will save up to 75 lives and prevent as many as 1,326 asleep at the wheel accidents every year.
In a Car Accident in New York? Schedule a Consultation
If you or someone you know have been a victim of a car accident, please contact our experienced White Plains personal injury law firm. To find out more, please call us at 914-285-1500 or 212-709-8040 or click here to arrange a free and confidential consultation.