The Three D’s and Motor Vehicle Safety
Each year in the United States, the lives of many people are disrupted by the unforeseen occurrence of a motor vehicle accident. Several million traffic collisions occur and the unfortunate truth is that a large portion of these potentially life-altering events could be prevented through the exercise of even the most modest discretion by motorists who instead choose to operate a vehicle while their capacities are impaired in one or more ways. This negligent behavior subjects others on the roadway to a needless risk of serious injury or death, and the victims of these accidents may be able to file a civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation for medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other damages as appropriate.
Despite the effectiveness of the advanced safety technologies that are available in modern passenger cars and trucks, when traveling at highway speeds it is still entirely possible for a vehicle’s occupants to sustain severe physical injuries. The cost of even basic medical care is beyond the reach of many people, so the prospect of having to find a way to come up with the funds necessary to pay for a bill that could easily be for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars adds a genuine insult to the injuries that have already been suffered. Without the resources gained from a successful lawsuit, it may be impossible to pay for this care and an accident victim may be driven into bankruptcy. Moreover, this only represents a portion of the financial concerns that an individual will have to face after an accident.
The Motor Vehicle Accident “Whiplash-Type” Injury — As Of 2004
The “Bottom Line” regarding “Whiplash Crash Facts” (accumulated during 2004 – - and including all the previous years) are as follows:
THERE ARE EIGHT SERIOUS AND ABSOLUTE FACTS IMPACTING AND REGARDING THAT WHICH IS TODAY IDENTIFIED AS A “WHIPLASH” INJURY. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1#. The “Threshold” for cervical spine soft tissue injury becomes a reality at 5 MPH.2#. Most injuries occur at speeds below 12 MPH. #3. Crashed cars can often withstand collision speeds of 10 MPH (some even more) without sustaining damage. (THUS: The concept of “No Property Damage – No Cash” has absolutely been invalidated)! #4. A delay in the onset of symptoms has been found to be the “Norm” rather than the “Exception”. #5. Mild traumatic brain injury can be the result of a Whiplash -Type injury. (These symptoms are often referred to as, “Post Concussion Syndrome”). #6. Up to 10% of victims of “Whiplash” become totally disabled ! #7. Of the 31 important whiplash studies since 1956 (19 of them executed since 1990) regarding patients from all vectors of motor vehicle accident collision impacts (be they rear, frontal, or side) it was found that “over 60% of them” needed long-term medical follow-up. #8. In 2003 several million Americans suffered a “Whiplash-Type” injury. This figure flows into the stratosphere each and ever day at an alarming rate of speed!
The Eye Witness To Your Getting Creamed
Thirty four years ago, in a book I wrote and was published, entitled, How To Settle Your Own Insurance Claim, I stated: “An eye witness can make or break your case. If you’ve been able to keep your wits about you the first thing you should do, immediately after impact has occurred, is to find somebody who observed it. After having spotted such a person, don’t be bashful. Go right over to them and ask if they saw the accident ? If they did, jot down their name, address and telephone number. Should they drive away before you can zero in on them, make note of their motor vehicle’s registration number so you can later obtain their name through the department of motor vehicle office.”
What I wrote, over thirty years ago, remains true today. (As a matter of fact, when it comes to insurance claims, little has changed over he past sixty years)! Companies like Rock Solid Insurance Corporation are still raising rates into the stratosphere while crying in their suds about all the money claims are costing them and those employed by them are still taking advantage of every motor vehicle accident victim they can sink their claws into.
~Car Accident Insurance Claim~ Regarding Impacts And Injuries
As of January 2003 it was determined that in the good ole’ US of A, there were approximately 12.3 million motor vehicle accidents involving over 21 million vehicles last year. This amounts to a little over one crash per second. Let’s take a look at four of the most common of these gazillion impacts and the typical injuries they cause.
#1. LOW SPEED IMPACTS – - ESPECIALLY REAR-ENDERS: These are crashes that are considered to be any collision that takes place at speeds under 10 MPH. While there is absolutely no justification to call it a “Low Speed” impact that’s what the insurance industry loves to identify them as. Why ? Because a moniker like that is supposed to indicate that the, “so-called impact”, you were subjected to could not possibly have caused an injury.
