Most people will be in a car accident at some point in their lives. Most of those accidents will be minor accidents. They can be expensive – especially with today’s cars in which a whole panel may need to be replaced for a tiny tent. But when it comes to serious accidents with catastrophic injuries, the costs can be astronomical. This is just one of the reasons you should always have a personal injury attorney on your side when working with the insurance company.
One study came up with shocking results
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at traffic-related deaths and injuries throughout the U.S. They also tracked the cost of car accidents to the country. They found that in a single year, the cost of just medical care and lost productivity that resulted from vehicle accidents was upwards of $80 billion. Note that this does not include property damage and other real costs.
The cost of an individual car accident
While the cost of car accidents throughout the country is shocking, most people are more interested in the cost of a single accident. There are statistics for that too. Studies show that if a person has to go to the emergency room after a car accident it is going to cost them an average of $3,300. If that person is then admitted to the hospital then their average bill is going to be a whopping $57,000 in the long-term, with most costs coming within a year and a half of the accident.
Injuries caused by car accidents are common
It is not at all uncommon for a person to be injured in a car accident. In fact, just in the year 2012 there were more than two and a half million people treated in emergency rooms cross the U.S. for injuries they obtained in a car accident. Note that for every person who dies in a fatal car accident, 100 are treated at the ER and eight end up hospitalized.
Many injuries from car accidents are entirely preventable
The good news is that though these injuries can be expensive and live changing, they are also often preventable. Many are caused by drivers not paying attention – in fact this is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Many deaths happen because a person was not wearing a seatbelt. If you are sure to buckle up behind the wheel and always pay attention, then you can significantly reduce the chances of being in an accident.
If you have been injured in a car accident and are not sure what to do then we are here for you. Just reach out to The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. We will ask the questions we need so that we can determine if you have legal options. Call us now – it is always worth gathering more information.
