Protecting You from The Risks of Driving
Industry statistics on car accidents are chilling:
- 6 million car accidents occur every year.
- 3 million people are injured every year in U.S. car accidents.
- 2 million people or 2/3rds of accident victims suffer permanent injuries.
- 40,000 people lose their lives every year due to major accidents while driving.
- Of all auto accidents, 6% are fatal, 27% result in injuries, and result in 72%.
- 40% of all deaths caused by car accidents involve alcohol.
- 30% of car accident fatalities are attributed to speeding.
- Reckless driving accounts for 33% of all deaths involving major car accidents.
In 2019, fatalities were down, but according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 33,654 fatal crashes with 36,560 deaths in motor vehicle accidents, By state, California had 3,259 fatal crashes and 3,563 deaths; only Texas has more with 3,305 fatal crashes and 3,642 deaths. The totals include fatally-injured occupants of large trucks and persons on motorcycles, bicycles, or on foot but the largest numbers of crash deaths occurred among those in cars, pickups, and SUVs – 22,542 or 62% nationwide and 1,902 or 53% in California. These figures do not, of course, consider the costs and consequences of accidents short of death.
Increased Road Risks in California
Americans love their cars and in California, this is particularly true, where the sheer number of motorists and the thousands of miles of roadways and highways increase the likelihood of accidents. According to the California Department of Transportation, there are over 20,771 miles of total roadways, 527 miles of freeway, and 382 miles of conventional highway in Los Angeles County. Over 15 million cars were registered in California in 2018, with 7.8 million of them being in LA county. On an average day, motorists in Los Angeles county drive over 220 million vehicle miles as nearly 4 million workers commute to work, including nearly half a million from outside the county.
Ironically, one of the few good results of the pandemic was a decrease in accidents and property damage. In the first months of the shelter-in-place order, traffic volume dropped by as much as 55%, which halved the number of fatalities and injuries and saved the state $40 million per day.
California statistics from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) indicate that in 2017, the most recent year compiled, 277,160 per injured in 193,564 injury crashes, while 3,904 were killed in fatal crashes. Los Angeles County alone reported 92,020 victims killed and injured in auto accidents in 2017 with 7,271 injuries and deaths in LA County involved drunk drivers. Nearly half of those injured come away with permanent disabilities like brain damage, paralysis, amputation injuries, and other serious ailments that significantly and negatively affect the functions, independence, and futures of victims.
Why Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Whether you are a driver who might be considered at fault in an automobile accident, or you are the victim of someone else’s negligence, you need to consult with an experienced car accident attorney such as the Hartunian Law Firm.
If you’ve lost a loved one or sustained a very serious injury in a car accident because of another driver’s carelessness, you have the right to hold that driver responsible for his or her actions. While we cannot erase the memory or consequences of the accident, we can help you be compensated for the terrible and expected consequences of the crash. Your \ settlement can help you pay high medical bills, compensate you for lost wages, and provide on-going financial support in the case of permanent injury or unexpected and wrongful death.
Even if your negligence or irresponsible behavior caused injury, death, or property damage you still have rights in the eyes of the law. Donald Hartunian can gather evidence to help you, present your case, and may be able to help you obtain reduced jail time, fines, or charges or even get your case dismissed. While no driver wants to live with the knowledge that they caused an accident resulting from their own negligence, a skillful attorney can evaluate the specific facts of your case and advocate for you.
Contact Hartunian Law Firm Today
After an auto accident, calling the Hartunian Law Firm is the best way to protect your interests, both now and in the future. We offer a free consultation about your case in English or Spanish, assist with costs along the way, and don’t get paid until we win your case.
If you can’t come to our Palm Springs or Los Angeles office, we’ll even come to your home, office, or hospital room to learn about your case. Our staff will provide you with the reliable and compassionate personal service you need throughout the process of winning your case. If you’ve had an accident, access to justice awaits at the other end of the phone. Call us today Toll-Free at 844-404-0007 or at our Palm Springs office at 760-575-5555 or our Los Angeles Location at 310-552-0007.
