For many American families, summer is the perfect time to travel because the kids are out of school. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the perfect time to complete road construction because the weather is more predictable than it is during the winter months.
Americans spend about 17,600 minutes driving each year on average. With so much time on the road, it’s easy to become complacent—especially if you follow all traffic laws and behave responsibly. Unfortunately, all it takes is one drunk, distracted, or negligent motorist to cause a serious accident.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, large trucks can weigh up to 30 times more than passenger cars, and most fatalities that occur in truck collisions are occupants of passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, even if fatalities do not occur, debilitating injuries often do.
All car accidents are stressful, but when the at-fault driver does not have insurance, any victims face the possibility of falling into debt due to medical bills and lost income. Sadly, this scenario is alarmingly common in the United States. According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 1 in 8 motorists were uninsured in 2012. Although this number has declined in recent years, getting into a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver is still a very real possibility.
Many people assume that purchasing a new vehicle would be safer than buying a used car – and they are usually correct. However, in 2014 alone, at least 63.9 million vehicles were recalled due to dangerous defects.
Uber and other rideshare companies have revolutionized the commercial transportation industry. Uber offers cheaper rates and more convenience than traditional taxis, and as of July 2016, the rideshare giant had completed more than 2 billion rides. However, with the growing number of Uber drivers and passengers comes an increase in Uber accidents.
Heavy eyelids, constant nodding, persistent yawning – these are all signs that a person is too drowsy to drive safely. In fact, fatigue and alcohol have similar effects on a driver’s performance. According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, just three hours of nighttime driving can cause the same level of impairment as a BAC of 0.08.
Commercial truckers usually have more experience than the typical driver, and many of them undergo comprehensive training to avoid accidents. Unfortunately, a minor oversight behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer can have deadly consequences.
Big turkeys, bigger parades – Thanksgiving comes with many traditions that millions of Americans enjoy every year. The family road trip is another ritual, but any long drive comes with inherent risks.
Cooper Law Firm
N. Eric Cooper
Mailing: P.O. Box 2222
Longview, TX 75606
Address: 501 N Third St,
Longview, TX 75601
Telephone: (903) 297-0037
Toll-Free: 1-855-297-HURT (4878)
Facsimile: (903) 236-0035
Hours: Open 24/7
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