Road Safety: Major Causes of Crashes That Result In Serious Injury
Roadway accidents happen every day, and while they may not happen directly to you, they could happen to someone you know or someone you love. Being a passenger or driving in a car can be an extremely dangerous activity, especially considering you not only have to worry about controlling your own vehicle, but you also have to rely on those sharing the road with you to drive safely, as well.
At Murphy Falcon & Murphy, we see numerous cases involving road safety every day. We understand how dangerous the road can be, which is why we want to provide more information about road safety and what you can do to help protect yourself and those around you. Continue reading below to learn more about some of the biggest hazards when it comes to road safety, and if you’re in need of a personal injury attorney in Baltimore, don’t hesitate to give our firm a call and get help when you need it most.
Understanding the Three Biggest Causes of Fatalities When it comes to crashes on the road, serious injury is one thing, but fatalities are a totally different thing. If you want to be a safer driver or passenger, it’s important to understand the three biggest causes of fatalities on the road, which are: alcohol, speeding, and a lack of seat belt use. The problems with these causes is that they are things that people do on the road every day. You may forget to put on your seat belt on your short drive to the store, you may drive just a little bit faster to get to a meeting on time, or you may get behind the wheel of a car after a couple drinks because you think you’re “fine.” Understanding these causes is step one, and we will discuss them further below, along with other causes of serious injury on the road. Cell Phone Use While drinking and driving, speeding, and not wearing a seat belt are all serious causes of crashes on the road, there is one leading cause that is often overlooked: cell phone use. With technology becoming such a big part of our everyday lives, it’s no surprise that people want to stay connected even when they’re on the road. Unfortunately, this can be extremely dangerous and lead to a number of accidents, many of which result in serious injury or even death. If you must use your cell phone while driving, there are a few things you can do to help stay safe: By following these simple tips, you can help reduce your risk of being involved in a cell phone-related accident. Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel Another leading cause of accidents on the road is falling asleep behind the wheel. Did you know that about one in 25 adult drivers have reported having fallen asleep while driving in the past 30 days. This statistic is shocking enough, but even more have admitted to driving when they are sleep-deprived. In fact, it is estimated that 6,400 people die annually in crashes involving drowsy driving, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you are feeling drowsy while driving, it’s best to get off the road and take a short nap, drink some coffee, or even switch drivers if possible to avoid a potential accident. Speeding While speeding may help you get to where you’re going in less time, it also reduces the amount of time you have to react in a dangerous situation to avoid a crash. Additionally, it increases your vehicle stopping distance and reduces the effectiveness of road safety structures, such as guardrails and crash cushions. With that in mind, it was reported that speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 202, killing 11,258 people, or an average of over 30 people a day.
Failure to Wear Seat Belts Seat belts were invented to keep people safe, and they have been estimated to have saved as many as 374,276 lives. Not wearing a seat belt, however, is one of the leading causes of serious injury or death in an accident. In fact, it’s estimated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that buckling up can reduce your risk of being killed in a crash by 45%. Additionally, it can also reduce your risk of being seriously injured by 50%. Wearing a seat belt is such an important safety precaution, and yet so many people still choose not to wear one. Alcohol Last, but certainly not least, is alcohol. Drinking and driving is a serious problem on the roads today, and it’s estimated that about 29 people in the United States die every day in crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. That’s one person every 50 minutes. Not only is drunk driving extremely dangerous, it’s also illegal in every state for drivers who have an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. This has been the case for more than 20 years, and yet one-third of all traffic fatalities in the United States are connected to drinking and driving. If you’re going to drink, make sure you have a designated driver or take public transportation to avoid getting behind the wheel while impaired. 
These are just a few of the major causes of road crashes that result in serious injury. By understanding these causes and taking steps to avoid them, you can help keep yourself and others safe on the roads.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a road accident, contact Murphy Falcon & Murphy in Baltimore today for a free consultation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.