Every year, thousands of Americans are hurt in motor vehicle collisions. The most common car accident is when one vehicle hits another from behind. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 28 percent of all car accidents in the United States are rear-end collisions. Studies conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found an average of 1.7 million rear-end accidents occur each year, with a staggering 500,000 serious injuries. 

Despite the fact only 6 percent of rear-end crashes result in fatalities, these collisions can result in severe injuries with long-lasting symptoms. If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact a legal team you can believe in and seek medical attention even if injury symptoms are not immediately present. 

As the snow and ice begin to make their way onto Colorado roadways, it should come as no surprise that the accidents are beginning to pile up. On Saturday, November 24th, 2018, Colorado highway patrolmen responded to a collision outside Denver. What started as a one-car crash ultimately ended in a 20-vehicle pileup. According to Colorado State Patrol, heavy winds and snow were the main causes of the dangerous accident. 

The increase in inclement weather has prompted Colorado law enforcement to establish roadside shelters for passengers injured in winter car accidents. If you or a loved one are involved in a motor vehicle collision this winter, seek out medical attention and speak with a legal representative. 

Winter Driving Accidents in the United States 

Inclement weather is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents throughout the United States. According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 116,000 Americans are injured each year in accidents during snowfall. While the vast majority of these accidents do not result in death, over 1,200 people are killed annually in accidents caused by inclement weather. Studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that an alarming 17% of all annual motor vehicle collisions occur while snow is present. 

On Wednesday, October 10th, 2018, a number of car accidents occurred throughout the state of Colorado. One accident involving a semi-truck occurred near Haswell, another collision happened outside of Lone Tree, and a third took place near Aspen Park. The one common denominator? All the accidents were at least partially caused by icy roadways. 

With winter arriving quickly, it is important to begin practicing appropriate winter driving habits. The Colorado State Patrol was vocal about the recklessness of many drivers, stating that some accidents were caused by “people traveling too fast for conditions.” If a member of your family is injured in a motor vehicle collision this winter, you should contact a personal injury attorney that will represent your best interests and help you pursue compensation from any negligent parties. 

Driving Safely in Colorado

In 2017, over 640 people were fatally injured while traveling on Colorado roadways. Studies conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CODOT) found that 35% of all fatalities occurred during winter months (November to March).