According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 7,000 car crash victims sought treatment at hospital emergency rooms every day in 2012. This alarming statistic prompted the principal deputy director for the CDC to state that more needs to be done to keep people safe on the roads.
In fact, injuries related to car accidents occur too often and health care costs are rising as a result. The CDC’s report reveals that work lost over a lifetime from car accident injuries cost an estimated $33 billion and the cost of lifetime medical expenses reached $18 billion.
People ages 15 to 29 are at an increased high risk for injuries from car accidents. Moreover, statistics show that males are more likely to be injured than females. Elderly persons over the age of 80 are at the highest risk for being hospitalized after an initial ER visit to attend to injuries sustained in a car accident.
Injuries associated with car crashes can be prevented. Over the years, there have been many programs developed to aid in keeping people safe on the roads. Speed limits have been reduced on major highways to reduce speeding accidents and every state has some type of seat belt law. Booster seat laws continually change to accommodate all shapes and sizes of young passengers. Heavier penalties for drinking and driving have been created to curb drunk driving car accidents. Recent efforts focus more attention on creating awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.
Although the amount of ER visits related to car accidents has decreased in numbers when comparing data from 2012 with data from 2002, to date, no state has been successful at fully implementing every intervention designed to help reduce car crashes and keep people safer on the roads. Prevention and education efforts must continue to increase the safety of our roadways and reduce car accidents and the injuries they cause.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates Represent Victims of Car Accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, the Philadelphia car accident lawyers at the personal injury law firm of Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates will work aggressively to ensure that you get the compensation to which you may be entitled. We represent victims of car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, and pedestrian accidents in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Our offices are conveniently located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Call us at 215-567-6600, today, or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.