Have you ever wondered where your insurance dollars are spent when it comes to motor vehicle accidents? Atlanta injury lawyers Mark Link and Houston Smith researched this answer. According to a recent report by the Center for Disease Control, out of Atlanta, GA.:
Cost amounts to nearly $500 for each U.S. licensed driver in one year
The total cost exceeds $99 Billion dollars a year in medical care and productivity loss. Those two areas account for the largest percentage of loss.
How much is your injury case worth?
As a personal injury lawyer in Atlanta, GA. One o the most common questions we are asked is, “How much can I expect to be paid from the insurance company for my claim due to injuries in an automobile accident?” The answer to this question is tied to the costs of medical claims and the loss of work associated with the accident.
Both of these areas involve variable claim issues and a multitude of legal statutes. As a full time practicing Atlanta law firm, who specializes in litigation of personal injury claim accidents, we are challenged with keeping up with all the changes in the industry. We hear of people who attempt to tackle the injury claim process themselves and even attempt to negotiate their own accident claim. Although this may be fine for a small percentage of accident claims with limited property damage and physical injury, it is not a good idea when injuries are more involved.
Car accidents cost $70 billion for the U.S.
As this CDC release about the study shows:
The one-year costs of fatal and non-fatal crash-related injuries totaled $70 billion (71 percent of total costs) for people riding in motor vehicles, such as cars and light trucks, $12 billion for motorcyclists, $10 billion for pedestrians, and $5 billion for bicyclists, the study said.
A majority of accidents are related to claims involving motor vehicles.
Considering they represent the largest number of transportation vehicles on the road, it makes sense they would comprise the largest statistical representation of accidents. The study did cite over 40,000 people per year die due to crash related injuries. Every 10 seconds 1 person in the US is involved in an accident.
The study - Incidence and Total Lifetime Costs of Motor Vehicle-Related Fatal and Nonfatal Injury by Road User Type, United States, 2005 went on to conclude:
The substantial economic and societal costs associated with these injuries and deaths reinforce the need to implement evidence-based, cost-effective strategies. Evidence-based strategies that target increasing seat belt use, increasing child safety seat use, increasing motorcyclist and pedalcyclist helmet use, and decreasing alcohol-impaired driving are available.
Pedestrian accidents relate to costs
Pedestrian safety is a concern to Atlanta. Earlier this month a Hit-and-run motorist struck girl, her dog. It is bad enough when tragedy like this strikes, but even worse when the perpetrator doesn’t stop to render aid or assist in any manner. Hit-and-run is considered a felony in the state of Georgia.Raising awareness of pedestrian safety is one of our missions at Link and Smith, PC. All too often we are reporting on these tragic collisions.
DUI accidents are preventable
Alcohol and DUI related accidents are preventable. We have taken a strong stand against such activity in Georgia. We once litigated a landmark case that involved our client being injured by a drunk driver. The jury awarded $300,000 in punitive damages to our client. It brings us no pleasure in seeing the number of accident claims related to DUI, however, we feel good we can help bring some justice and balance to the system. We have provided accident help in Georgia and Atlanta for many who are in need of legal representation.
