The Association for Safe International Road Travel says about 1.3 million people pass away every year because of road crashes. On average, that means 3,287 deaths for a day while 20 to 50 million more end up with injuries and lifelong disabilities. In the U.S. alone, about 37,000 people pass away every year because of road crashes while 2.5 million people get injured or disabled.
Driving Risks
No matter how careful you are on the road, there’s no telling when accidents will happen. Given the numbers, it’s safe to say that it’s a numbers game at work: the more you get behind the wheel and drive, the more you expose yourself to danger and road accidents.
Common Injuries
When accidents do happen, they often fall into the following:
Soft tissue injury
This includes bruises but can also cover whiplash, which is when your neck and upper back suffer an injury. Your muscles as well as ligaments are stretched, often the effects of surviving a head-on collision and hard impact.
Cuts, scrapes and lacerations
Cuts and scrapes can be minor but you could also end up with deep lacerations that require stitches and immediate treatment. In some serious cases, these injuries can lead to extensive loss of blood and so must be treated right away.
Head trauma and injury
Sudden stops or swerves can have adverse effects on your neck, resulting to neck and back strain. However, collisions can also cause you to hit your head on the side window or steering wheel and lead to fluid buildup in your skull, concussions, open-head injuries and in worst cases, eventually lead to brain damage.
Chest and Limb injury
Broken ribs or internal injuries are common as well as injuries to your joints, arms and legs.
Sustaining any injury from an accident entitles you to proper compensation. Get a personal injury lawyer to help you file for a claim today.
