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Auto accidents affect thousands of Americans every year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 37,000 individuals lost their lives in automobile accidents in 2018. Concurrently, an early estimate of traffic fatalities in 2019 demonstrated that although the number of miles traveled has increased this year, fatality rates have decreased from rates projected in the same period in 2018. In spite of this, auto accidents affect many more people through serious bodily injuries, which nonetheless affect them in a variety of ways.
Car Accidents – Quick Facts and Stats
The following is a quick snapshot of the 2012 auto accident report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which highlights bodily injury after a car accident:
- Approximately 1 million people in the United States spend more than a million days in hospital care every year as a result of auto accident injuries.
- Injuries sustained from an accident in 2012 resulted in $18 billion of lifelong medical costs. Over 75% of the costs accumulated occur in the first 18 months following a collision.
- The lifelong ability to earn a living that was lost because of injuries reported in 2012 totaled about $33 billion.
- In 2012, over 2.5 million people in the U.S. were treated in the emergency department and over 200,000 individuals were hospitalized for their injuries.
- On average, auto accident-related emergency department costs are $3,300, which totals about $57,000 over an injured person’s lifetime.
Undoubtedly, the costs related with an automobile accident injury can be unbearable for any person and his or her family. Based on these reports, it is evident that auto accidents have the capability of affecting an injured person for many years following an accident.
Costs Associated With Auto Accidents
Aside from the injuries associated with auto accidents, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that after an accident, there are many costs that a person may accrue. These costs can occur in one of two methods: direct costs or indirect costs. In a car accident, a direct cost will generally commence at the time of the car accident, whereas indirect costs are expenses that accumulate in the aftermath of the car accident.
A few examples of direct costs associated with car accidents include: medical expenses, physical therapy and medication, towing costs, police reports, damage to the vehicle, damage to the property inside the vehicle & potential effect on the insurance policy.
There are also a variety of other costs that can accumulate as an indirect result of a car accident. These supplementary costs can be detrimental for an injured victim and his or her family. Examples of this may include: a family’s overall economic loss, the victim’s pain and suffering, legal fees associated with the car accident, the loss of the victim’s earning capacity, time lost from work, childcare costs, renting a vehicle, and/or other transportation costs.
Protect Your Rights After A Car Accident
Whether a car accident has caused you serious injury or not, it is important that you protect your rights and interests following a collision and there are essential steps you can take that will help you. Probably the most important to your claim is contacting a personal injury attorney or law firm who deals with auto accident cases. These cases can become complex very quickly and having someone who understands how to protect your rights can make all the difference. If you have suffered injuries in a car accident in the State of New Jersey, Harrell Smith & Williams LLC in Westfield are available to talk about your rights and how they can help victims of serious car accidents. You can learn more about how they help car accidents victims in New Jersey, or contact them directly here.