Statistics from 2015 gathered by the National Safety Council revealed that from January to June that year, there were almost 2.3 million serious injuries. That figure was up 30 percent over the same period in 2014. The term “serious injuries” is defined by the NSC as those that required medical attention.
The upswing in traffic accidents, fatalities and injuries is troubling, but what caused the increase? The NSC places at least some of the blame on the economy.
Jobs and gasoline prices
When the economy is humming along, jobs are more plentiful. That means that people have to get to their places of employment, so there are more cars on the road. In addition, a good economy results in lower gas prices, which also translates to more vehicle traffic. People with jobs have more money to spend on fun road trips because the cost of gas is lower.
The dangerous summer months
The 2015 numbers were not an aberration or a spike of some sort; they represented a trend. The NSC figures did not include the summer months, but that fact alone was alarming to experts because traffic fatalities and serious injuries are always higher during the summer months when people have more time to drive longer distances and families head out for vacation.
Injuries and legal help
No one ever plans to be in a car wreck, but a crash can occur at the most unexpected time. The NSC estimates that the medical costs, property damage and wage losses related to the accidents they tracked in the first half of 2015 came to about $152 billion. Although many serious injuries are quickly diagnosed and treated, some do not show up right away. It is wise for anyone who is in a car crash to seek medical attention, regardless of how they might feel. It is also wise to reach out for legal advice and support. If a claim ought to be filed for financial compensation, an experienced personal injury attorney who knows the law — and insurance company lawyers — is the individual best equipped to handle the task.
