Motor Vehicle Accidents
Each year, the most recent statistics show that 20 to 50 million people are injured in traffic crashes each year. More than one million people die in traffic crashes across the United States. Because these accidents are so common and the damages are so serious, motor vehicle accident cases often make up a large portion of a personal injury attorney's practice.
To manage the risk associated with motor vehicle accidents, states require drivers to obtain auto insurance. Most states use a fault-based model for auto insurance that considers who caused or contributed to the damage caused. In a fault-based state, the at-fault driver's insurance provides liability coverage that covers the damages from the crash including repairs, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering.
A traffic crash occurs when one motor vehicle causes damages to another motor vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or stationary obstruction including a mailbox, traffic control device, or building. The most serious motor vehicle accidents cause large scale property damage, personal injury, serious bodily injury, or death.
Problems on the roadway that can impact motor vehicle accidents include:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- street racing;
- impairment from alcohol, chemical or controlled substances;
- road design; and
- vehicle design.
After the crash, the driver in a vehicle involves in the crash might leave the scene. Crimes for leaving the scene or a crash (often called "hit and run") can impact the legal consequences of the case in different ways.
Directory of Attorneys for Motor Vehicle Accidents
At Lawyer Legion, we created a directory that showcases the top personal injury attorneys across the United States. Even within this field, sub-practices include accidents involving commercial trucks, motorcycle accidents, or pedestrian accidents.
When using the term "motor vehicle accidents," other related terms include car accidents, motor vehicle collisions, traffic crashes, and wrecks. The top causes of motor vehicle accidents including speeding, distractive driving, and impaired driving. The best way to prevent injury from a motor vehicle accident is to encourage the usage of seat belts for the driver and passengers.
Injuries from auto accidents vary widely from minor whiplash to debilitating injuries and death. Use our online attorney directory to find motor vehicle accident lawyer.
Additional Resources
Motor Vehicle Accident Pathophysiology - Find a scholarly article published in the Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol in April of 2000 on the motor vehicle collision injury syndrome. The study examines changes to the central nervous system after acceleration or deceleration injuries related to a motor vehicle crash. The article examines the most common patterns of injury in motor vehicle crashes discovered during a physical examination.
Traffic Collisions on Wikipedia - Learn more about the most recent statistics on the number of motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Find information on the terminology used in different jurisdictions for traffic crashes. The article explains the different health effects that result in physical or psychological harm. Causes of traffic crashes are examined including human factors such as drunk or impaired driving, speeding or distracted driving, and road design flaws. The article also explains the legal consequences that occur after a crash including lawsuits for property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death.
This article was last updated on Friday, February 14, 2020.
