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Recent Blog Posts
The Importance of Wearing a Seat Belt
On February 3, an SUV driver was fatally injured near Colorado Springs when they lost control of their vehicle, crashed into an oncoming car, and ultimately collided with a concrete barrier. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision after being ejected from the vehicle. A female passenger was in stable condition after suffering injuries in the accident.
For drivers throughout the state of Colorado, the accident served as a reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt. Ejection from a vehicle significantly increases the chance of fatal injuries. If you or a loved one are involved in a motor vehicle collision, the use of a seat belt could save a life.
Seat Belts Save Lives
Despite the overwhelming evidence that supports the use of seat belt restraint systems, 27.5 million Americans choose not to wear them. In all, approximately 10 percent of the American population chooses not to use their seat belts while traveling in motor vehicles. The decision to wear a seat belt can make all the difference in avoiding severe injuries in automobile collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts save around 15,000 lives per year. If all American travelers properly utilized their seat belts, it could save an additional 2,000 lives a year.
The Danger of Car Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers
On January 16, an elderly man was seriously injured when he crashed his vehicle into several homes in a small housing community south of Denver. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the collision was ultimately caused by a medical condition that prompted the 86-year-old driver to lose control of his vehicle.
While not all elderly drivers face an increased risk of motor vehicle collisions, many suffer from pre-existing medical conditions or face a decline in motor skills and vision. These issues can create danger whenever they operate a car, especially during bad weather.
Elderly Driving Accident Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 20 elderly Americans are fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions every day. In 2017, more than 7,400 elderly drivers were killed in car accidents nationwide. In addition to those killed throughout 2017, over 282,000 elderly Americans were severely injured in car accidents.
Protecting Children from Car Accident Injuries
On January 6, a car crash on Interstate 25 outside Colorado Springs sent three people to the hospital with severe injuries. The accident occurred when the car flipped on the roadway and ultimately crashed into a light pole. Of the passengers injured, one was a young child. For parents in Colorado, this accident serves as a reminder of the serious injuries young children can suffer in motor vehicle collisions.
In 2016, 730 children under 13 were fatally injured in car crashes in the United States. That number is around half of the total number of children killed in car crashes in 1975, thanks largely to improved vehicle safety measures. Listed below are a few simple steps you can take to lower their risk of severe car accident injury.
Proper Child Restraints in Vehicles
If you have young children who are too small to ride in a car without a booster seat, it is important to equip them with the correct size of a booster seat. If your child grows out of the booster, reassess and provide them with a new one until they are large enough to ride without one. In 2017, approximately 32 percent of all children who were fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions were unrestrained.
Higher Speed Limits May Lead to Increased Traffic Fatalities
Over the past few years, law enforcement personnel and state agencies have noticed a dangerous trend: fatal car accidents are rising throughout the United States. While initiatives to increase safe driving practices are helpful, including mandatory seatbelt use, other factors seem to be offsetting the positive effects of these initiatives. Increases in cell-phone use and other forms of distracted driving have played a role in the increase of fatal collisions, but highway traffic agencies now think another primary reason for the jump in traffic deaths is increased speed limits.
Traffic Fatalities Rising in the United States
According to statistics compiled by the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 40,100 motor vehicle deaths throughout the United States in 2017. While this number marked a 1 percent decrease when compared to 2016, the bigger concern is the steady climb in fatalities over recent years. In 2016, the number of traffic deaths rose by more than 5 percent. While the slight decrease in 2017 is encouraging, recent trends suggest much more work is needed to increase safety nationwide.
Rear-End Collisions Can Cause Chronic Injuries
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.
Two Teens Killed in Colorado Car Accident
On December 27, 2018, two Colorado teens were fatally injured on Highway 105 when they lost control of their vehicle and collided with a semi-truck. Colorado State Patrol officers believe that the collision was caused in part by winter driving conditions. For parents throughout Colorado, the fatal car crash served as a sobering reminder of the dangers of teenage driving.
Teenage Collisions Nationwide
Throughout the United States, teenage drivers are among the most commonly injured in motor vehicle collisions. It should come as no surprise that 16 year old drivers are more likely to crash than drivers of any other age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016, over 290,000 American teens between the ages of 16 and 19 were hospitalized due to injuries suffered in motor vehicle collisions. Of those injured, 2,433 teens suffered injuries that proved to be fatal.
Why Commercial Trucking Accidents are Increasingly Common
Earlier this month, two people were injured when a commercial truck collided with a school bus on a rural Weld County road. Fortunately, neither of the two students riding the bus were hurt, and the vehicle drivers were not seriously injured. Still, the accident served as a sobering reminder that commercial truck accidents occur often. In 2016, more than 4,200 large commercial trucks were involved in fatal collisions.
If you or a loved one were injured in a commercial trucking accident, contact a skilled truck accident attorney immediately.
Commercial Truck Crashes
Studies conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found commercial trucking collisions are on the rise nationwide. According to the FMCSA, since 2009, truck accidents have increased by 28 percent. From 2015 to 2016 alone, truck collisions rose by an estimated 6 percent, as more than 118,000 Americans were injured in collisions involving tractor-trailers.
Workplace Injuries Always a Risk for Construction Workers
According to the National Safety Council, an American worker is injured on the job every seven seconds. From carpal tunnel syndrome to severe falls, no workplace injury should be taken lightly.
While all fields of work pose some on-the-job injury hazard, construction workers face the largest risk of injury. Fortunately, issues that result from workplace injuries can be paid for with workers’ compensation. Through workers’ comp benefits, you can cover expensive medical bills, make up for lost work, and give yourself the time you need to heal both emotionally and physically. If you suffer an injury while working, it is important to contact a workers’ comp attorney as soon as possible.
Construction Industry Injuries
Construction workers face an increased risk of injury due to the dangerous nature of their work. The vast majority of construction injuries are caused by falls, being struck or compressed by an object, or electrocution.
Recreational Cannabis May Be Leading to More Car Accidents in Colorado
In 2012, voters passed Colorado Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana for medicinal and recreational use throughout the state. Officially implemented in 2014, Amendment 64 has brought in millions in tax revenue for the state. Much of that revenue has gone toward creating low-income housing programs, increasing mental health programs in Colorado prisons, and further developing health education programs in schools throughout the state.
However, while many of the benefits of legalized cannabis have been well documented across the country, one substantial negative that has not been discussed is the marked increase in motor vehicle collisions within states that have legalized recreational marijuana. With increased collisions comes the increased risk of serious, or even fatal, injuries. Those who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident should contact a legal team to learn about their options for pursuing compensation from a negligent driver.
Avoiding Dangerous Car Accidents This Winter
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.
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