A simple fact is that any one of us could be in a car crash and our lives could be changed forever. As drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, we are all at risk. Car crashes can result in severe injuries, disability and scarring, or worse. And, along with expensive medical bills and loss of employment, can leave you feeling helpless. As experienced car crash injury lawyers, Jaime Jackson Law can help with accountability and closure.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports that there were more than 125,000 car crashes in 2019. Of those, 76,234 people were injured, and 1,059 people were killed. These people are mothers, fathers, siblings, children, friends, partners or spouses.
The same report states that, in Pennsylvania each day, there are (on average):
- Approximately 14 crashes every hour
- 1 fatality every 8 hours
- Approximately 9 injuries every hour
Based on Pennsylvania’s 2019 population (12,801,989 people) and reportable traffic crashes, this means:
- 1 in every 45 people was involved in a traffic crash
- 1 in every 12,089 people was fatally injured
- 1 in every 168 people was injured
Although crash statistics are improving overall, crashes involving deaths and severe injuries are always devastating to the family and friends of the victims.
Our goal at Jaime Jackson Law is to resolve your case and help you and your loved ones find closure, as well as making driving safer for everyone on our roads.
What should I do if I’m in a car crash?
If it is possible and it is safe to do so, move your vehicle to a safe area and note the exact location of the crash. Next, check that no one is injured and, if there are injuries, determine whether they are serious enough to call for emergency medical services. In addition, if the crash is serious, you may want to call the police. Regardless of whether the police are called, it is always good practice to gather the following information: the driver’s name, license plate number, and driver’s license number.
Additional details
Ask for driver insurance information, note the make, model, and color of the vehicles involved in the crash. If you can, get the model year. And if there are eyewitnesses, ask for their contact information. If the police do attend, ask for the full name and badge number of the responding officer. Finally, it is always a good idea to take as many pictures of the crash as possible.
After the initial aftermath, you should request a copy of the police crash report, file a claim with your insurance, and contact an experienced lawyer for legal representation.
What are the main causes of car crashes in Pennsylvania?
Driver error contributes to 85-90% of all traffic crashes in the USA. Driver error can include:
- Distracted driving (for example, texting on a phone)
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Driving while tired (also known as drowsy driving)
- Tail gaiting
The highest cause of fatalities in the USA is driving under the influence of alcohol and the second highest cause of death is speeding.
Drivers in the 16-25 age range make up 57% of fatalities.
What are the most common injuries in car crashes?
Injuries from a car crash can be wide-ranging depending upon how severe the impact was. Factors that can play a role in the severity of injuries include, whether the occupants were wearing seat belts, the make and model of the car, and whether it had airbags which inflated safely. The worst case scenario in a car crash is that someone dies, however, some of the more catastrophic injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, injuries to internal organs, and broken bones. One compelling statistic which should encourage all of us to wear seat belts is that 47.6% of all people who died in car crashes were not wearing seat belts.
What types of crashes are people most involved in?
Some types of car crashes are more common than others. For example, one vehicle crashing into a fixed object such as a tree, lamp post, or guide rail are the most common crashes. The third highest number of deaths is where a pedestrian is hit by a car, (thankfully not often). It makes sense to think that poor weather conditions contribute to car crashes and fatalities, however, the majority of car crashes recorded in 2019 did not involve bad weather. Finally, the number of deaths that occur on the weekend are higher than weekdays. This is probably due to driving under the influence of alcohol which is the leading cause of fatalities.
What types of vehicles are most commonly in crashes?
According to the most recent Pennsylvania Crash Statistics, passenger vehicles were involved in more crashes than all other vehicle types. Along with light trucks, vans, and SUVs, they accounted for the majority of crashes and deaths.