According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2013 a total of 10,076 Americans lost their lives in car accidents where a driver was above the legal blood alcohol limit. In fact, drivers who are legally drunk, meaning their blood alcohol level is 0.08 g/dL or higher, caused one-third of all highway deaths, the CDC said. Florida was no exception to the high rates of alcohol-impaired car crashes, with 676 DUI fatalities.
Despite the risk of serious injuries or death, many Americans report that they have taken the wheel while impaired. According to CDC, 4.2 million adult drivers reported that they had driven while impaired at least once during the past month.
While death is the most serious result of drunk driving, serious injuries are also common. The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that there were 326,000 non-fatal injuries caused by crashes where alcohol was involved. These injuries may include fractures, burns and traumatic brain injuries.
If you were injured or a loved one lost their life in a car accident that was the fault of the other driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Chalik & Chalik for a free consultation to learn more about your rights.
There are many reasons a person may lose control of their vehicle. One of the most common reasons is due to overcorrecting. This occurs when a vehicle veers in one direction or begins to skid and the driver turns the wheel in the opposite direction, which causes loss of traction. Road conditions may also be...
First Coast NBC / ABC On Your Side News reported recently that a Hilliard woman was killed in a motor vehicle accident that occurred when she tried to beat a train through a road / railroad junction only to be struck by the oncoming train. According to officials from the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident...
According to the Federal Highway Administration, wrong-way accidents cause between 300 to 400 roadway fatalities In the United States each year. Although wrong-way accidents involve only 3% of all motor vehicle accidents, they are the top type of motor vehicle accidents to result in a fatality. Wrong-way driving collisions typically result in head-on collisions, which...
According to statistics, nearly 9,000 people are killed each year when they are ejected from their vehicles. There are an additional 20,000 people who suffer from traumatic and long-lasting injuries due to partial or complete ejections. The NHTSA reports that 28% of all car crash deaths are caused by vehicle ejections. People who are ejected...
Failure to wear a seat belt contributes to more fatalities than any other traffic safety-related behavior. A study done in 2010 showed that 63% of people killed in car accidents were not wearing seat belts. The National Highway Safety Administration estimates that seat belts save 15,000 lives each year. No amount of safe driving practices,...
Inexperienced Teen Drivers Pose a Risk to Others on Florida Roads All drivers are potentially dangerous, possibly causing serious Florida car accidents involving you or your family members. These wrecks can cause serious injuries, such as broken bones or internal bleeding, and can even result in loss of life. Though any driver can cause a...
Any car accident is dangerous, but one few people consider is driving into a body of water. According to a November 8, 2014 article in the Orlando Sentinel, more people drown in cars in Florida than in any other state. Car Accident Drownings Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites Florida as the...
It seems like there is always road construction taking place on the city street you want to turn down or on the interstate you are traveling on. Although it may be annoying and challenging to drive around, it can also be extremely dangerous to travel in such work and construction zones. Many auto accidents actually...
The main causes of car accidents in the United States include distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, reckless driving, poor weather conditions, manufacturing defects, poor road conditions, animal crossings, and construction sites. Distracted Driving Although many people think of texting and driving when asked what are the main causes of car...
If State Farm denied your car accident claim, you may qualify to appeal that decision, depending on why they denied your claim. Many people have their claims denied on minor technicalities, such as having insufficient information or errors on their applications. So, don’t rush to the assumption that an insurance claim denial means the end...
Yes, Florida does allow accident victims to recover damages for pain and suffering from an auto accident in certain situations. Pain and suffering are considered a “non-economic” damages. Unlike, for example, medical bills, there is no clear monetary value for pain and suffering. You are suffering, and there should be compensation for your pain and...
After an accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) car insurance policy will cover up 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages up to $10,000. According to Florida’s No-Fault auto insurance laws, all drivers are required to have a minimum of $10,000 of PIP coverage to register and operate their vehicle on...