Personal injury lawsuits are common in Mississippi. This can cover anything from victims of car crashes or even distracted walking. To raise awareness around just how common these lawsuits are, we’ve put together a collection of statistics and facts that outline the major causes of personal injury lawsuits.
If you’re not sure on the main causes and think you might be eligible to file a lawsuit for a recent accident that wasn’t your fault, read on to find out everything you need to know and take the first step towards justice and a settlement figure you deserve.
We’ll discuss:
Seatbelts
Seatbelts. Everyone knows how vital they are to keeping you safe whilst in the car, yet why do people still insist on not wearing them? Statistically, one out of two people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Mississippi isn’t wearing their seatbelt.
That’s an alarming amount. Nationally, 90.1 percent of Americans wear their seatbelts, however in Mississippi, this number is only 77.9 percent – one of the lowest rates in the whole country. Seatbelts can be the difference between an accident being fatal or surviving, that’s how crucial they are. That’s why you should always wear your seatbelt when in the car, whether you’re driving or just a passenger.
Impaired Driving
Drink driving happens all over the world, but the US has more drunk drivers than most countries have people. Which is incredibly worrying. Not only are you risking your own life getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink, you’re also risking all other road users and pedestrians’ lives too.
In 2016, drunk driving fatalities in Mississippi reached 18 percent of all local traffic deaths. Currently, it’s estimated that 10,000 people die on America’s roadways each year due to drink driving. More people are injured too.
Distracted Driving
It’s easy to get distracted when behind the wheel, especially on a long drive. But there’s no excuse for drivers continuing to use their mobile phones. 660,000 drivers are using electronic devices while driving at any given moment across the US. This ridiculous statistic means that 660,000 drivers aren’t giving the road enough attention, which is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.
Texting, whether it’s sending or receiving one, takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. To put things into perspective, if you’re driving at 55mph, the distance of the road you’ll miss will be the equivalent to an entire football pitch. Imagine the danger that must cause year on year.
Car Crashes
Car crashes are one of the main causes of personal injury claims. In 2016, Mississippi saw 690 fatalities and the US saw approximately 40,200. Whether or not these crashes were their fault, the driver still gets to file a lawsuit for a chance at gaining compensation. Driving whilst using a mobile phone reduces the amount of brain activity by 37 percent, which shows how switched off you are when using a device behind the wheel.
Pedestrians
Unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death in the United States for children under 19 years old. If a pedestrian is struck by a car at 40mph, there is an 85 percent chance that they might unfortunately be killed. In response to this, state governments have lowered speeding limits to hopefully reduce the chance of an accident.
Occupational Injuries
Occupational injuries are one of the leading causes of personal injury lawsuits throughout the US. This could range from slips, trips and falls to machine operators not being fully clued up and having an accident with the machines. Either way, they’re both important issues and both types of injuries deserve compensation.
Learn More About the Settlement You Deserve
As if it isn’t bad enough you’ve been involved in a horrifying accident and it’s affected your lifestyle, to not get the correct payout would add further insult to injury. At Coxwell & Associates, we’re determined to get the right outcome for you. We’ve been helping Mississippians for over 33 years and are true experts in personal injury.
We’ve put together a free guide that covers everything you need to know regarding Workplace Injury and Settlements. Download it below and take the first step towards winning that all-important lawsuit.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended as general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.