As long as there have been cars, there have been accidents.
Today there are over 250,000,000 registered passenger vehicles in the United States. 3,000,000 people suffer injuries each year due to auto accidents. Over 40,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of roadway collisions.
These numbers are staggering. Many attribute these statistics to an expanding population of cars and people who wish to drive them.
However, the numbers alone are not responsible for widespread car accidents. It is the very nature of motor vehicles themselves and the careless nature in which some people operate them that causes so many injuries. Ask yourself, “What is the fastest moving thing I own?” Undoubtedly, it is one of your vehicles. Then ask yourself, putting aside your home, “What is the heaviest thing I own?” This combination of speed and mass creates a weapon in the hands of those who are negligent and careless in their operation of it.
Cars are dangerous. That danger is why the industry and the operation of these vehicles are so heavily regulated. Indeed, to put aside the notion that there are so many accidents due to simply a swelling population, consider this: In 1896, there were a total of 4 automobiles registered in the United States. In that year, 2 of the 4 vehicles that were registered were involved in a collision with each other in St. Louis, Missouri!
For as long as there have been cars, there have been accidents.
Be careful out there.
Getting in a car crash can be unsettling. There are many initial things you can do to make sure you get the appropriate treatment you need and ensure you avoid pitfalls that could harm your case. Obtaining a free consultation from an experienced personal injury attorney is always a wise decision to make sure you are moving in the right direction.