Car accident victims and their families are often left in a mental, emotional, and financial turmoil.
Each year, thousands of people are injured on Missouri roads. There are others, less fortunate ones, who are killed in serious accidents caused by the negligence of another person. The families of such accident victims are often left in a mental, emotional, and financial turmoil. It is important for everyone to be aware of the factors that can lead to a fatal accident.
The Danger of Not Wearing a Seat Belt
The most noteworthy fact about fatal car accidents that occurred in 2014 is that a large number of victims were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. A new report published in the Missourian reveals that more than 1,450 car accidents occurred in the Troop F area, which includes 13 counties of central Missouri. Of these accidents, 66 were fatal and resulted in the death of 73 individuals. Among the individuals who were killed in the accidents, 52 were behind the wheel at the time of the accident and many were not buckled up.
Fatal Accident Statistics
A review of the 66 fatal accidents reported shows the following:
- 12 fatal accidents involved a motor vehicle that ran off the road to the right and overcorrected to the left.
- 11 involved a driver crossing the center line.
- 9 fatal accidents involved a driver failing to yield to crossing traffic or merging traffic.
- 8 of these accidents occurred because the driver ran off to the right side of the road.
- 5 accidents occurred because of the failure of the driver to stop in time for oncoming traffic.
Distracted Driving and Accident Fatalities
Officials are of the opinion that distracted driving is one of the most common causes of fatal car accidents in Missouri. Even though state agencies have been conducting awareness programes on the dangers of distracted driving, it is still going on unabated and leading to a large number car accidents and fatalities.
Texting is one of the most risky types of distracted driving as it involves the eyes, hand, and mind. Texting takes the driver’s attention away from the road for a few seconds, which is enough to cause a serious accident. There are other forms of distracted driving such as changing CDs, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, day dreaming, or grooming that can lead to serious crashes.
If someone close to you has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be able to claim all damages from the party at fault. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation. We can help you through the process and ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.