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The odds of dying in a car accident are one in 608, according to the Insurance Information Institute. When thinking about how likely it is to die in a car crash, it is even more likely that you will suffer an injury.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that nearly three million Americans suffer non-fatal injuries from motor vehicle accidents each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found similar findings, noting that in 2018, 2,491,000 car occupants suffered injuries in traffic collisions.
While these statistics may sound alarming, everyone who is injured as a result of a car accident has legal options. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car crash, you should consider your options for financial recovery.
A traffic accident attorney can help you file an insurance claim, itemize the cost of your incurred damages, and represent your interests. Additionally, they can help you with the process of filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, depending on how your case progresses.
Causes of Car Accident Deaths
Crash stats from the NHTSA report that the leading factor in all car accidents is driver error. Nearly 94% of crashes all relate back to a driver’s inability to uphold their duty of care. Many people equate the term “driver error” with distracted driving.
While the NHTSA notes that distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018, driver error can also refer to other reckless actions. Some causes of fatal collisions include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Engaging in road rage
- Disobeying traffic signals and posted guidelines
- Failing to yield to the right of way
- Reckless driving, such as driving over a median
- Vehicular malfunction
- Failing to adapt to poor weather conditions
- Drunk driving
A critical element of your personal injury case will rest on how you were injured or lost a loved one. A lawyer can review the evidence in your case to reach this determination.
South Carolina and Georgia Car Accident Statistics
In 2018, there were 1.13 deaths from fatal motor vehicle crashes for every 100 million miles traveled, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, these numbers vary per state. For example, in South Carolina, there were 1.83 deaths for every one million miles traveled. In Georgia, there were 1.14 deaths for every one million miles driven.
South Carolina’s Fatal Accident Statistics
According to the IIHS’s fatality facts, there were approximately 970 fatal motor vehicle crashes in South Carolina in 2018. The organization also reported a total of 1,037 deaths from motor vehicle crashes that same year. The IIHS also found that 55% of car accidents in South Carolina in 2018 were single-car wrecks, while 45% involved multiple vehicles.
Georgia’s Traffic Accident Deaths
The IIHS found in 2018 that there were 1,407 fatal crashes in Georgia. That same year, there were 1,504 deaths from motor vehicle accidents in the state. Similar to South Carolina, 55% of Georgia’s motor vehicle crashes involved single-vehicle incidents, while 45% involved multiple vehicles.
Forms of Compensation Following a Car Accident
If you are eligible to file a wrongful death claim following the loss of a loved one, you could be entitled to collect a variety of damages. Some recoverable damages can include:
- Burial or cremation costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of household benefits and parental guidance
- The decedent’s medical bills
If you were involved in a non-fatal car accident, you may be looking to recover very different damages. Some compensable losses in your case could include:
- Your medical bills
- Lowered earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- The cost of physical therapy
Seek Compensation With George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a collision in either Georgia or South Carolina, call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers. We offer free case reviews to prospective clients looking to explore their financial recovery options.
A lawyer from our team can help you:
- Establish the basis of your personal injury or wrongful death case
- Evaluate your options
- Monetize your economic and noneconomic damages
- Report the accident to the liable insurer
- Advocate for your rights in court
Our firm will also document your account of the accident, lay out your options for pursuing compensation, and defend your legal rights.
To begin a free case review with a car accident lawyer, call us today or fill out our online contact form. We can also answer any questions that you may have regarding how likely it is to die in a car crash.