Car accidents are all too common occurrences in Michigan, as well as every other state. According to the Michigan State Police, there were 54,920 car accidents in Wayne County and Detroit, Michigan in 2017. As a result of those accidents, there were 159 fatalities and 16,988 injuries. Many factors contribute to a car accident, including the types of injuries that can be sustained.
Marc J. Shefman is a car accident injury lawyer who is well acquainted with car accidents and car accident injuries in Metro Detroit and Wayne County, as well as the surrounding counties. The following are some common factors that have a vital impact on car accidents and their resulting injuries.
External Factors that Contribute to Car Accidents
Drunk Drivers – Drunk driving is illegal in every county in Michigan, and yet there are those who still choose to drink alcohol or take debilitating drugs and drive a car. In 2016, there were 11,903 alcohol related crashes in Wayne County, Michigan.
Distracted Drivers – Distracted driving includes texting, eating and drinking, grooming, talking to passengers, reading, using a map or navigation system, or anything else that takes the driver’s complete attention away from driving. In 2016, there were 12,788 crashes in Michigan involving distracted driving, resulting in 43 fatalities and 5,103 injuries.
Weather Conditions – Weather can impact driving in a variety of ways, including how it impacts your actual vehicle as well as its effect on the roadway. For example, rain and snow can limit visibility and cause roadways to become slippery, and high winds can cause your vehicle to pitch about unexpectedly.
Excessive Traffic – When large numbers of vehicles are using the same roadway, the chances of an accident increase exponentially. More cars mean more opportunities for driver errors or other factors to contribute to an accident.
Poor Road Conditions – Deteriorating roads, bridges, and infrastructure can also contribute to car accidents. Potholes or other road debris can cause tires to burst, throwing your vehicle out of control. Loose gravel or other roadway material can cause your vehicle to lose control and crash.
Internal Factors that Contribute to Car Accidents
Failure to Wear Seat Belts – Seat belts are the number one safety factor that prevents serious injuries in car accidents. In fact, Michigan state law requires their use by everyone riding in your vehicle. Failure to wear them leaves you and your passengers vulnerable to a number of serious accidents.
Failure of Airbags to Deploy – There have been numerous cases when airbags fail to deploy, even in catastrophic accidents. Airbags are designed to react instantly to any serious impact on your vehicle. In fact, newer model cars have airbags in side panels and seats as well as the dashboard.
Driver Inattention – Just as other distracted drivers can pose a threat to you, you can pose a threat to others when you allow yourself to become distracted. As the driver of your car, your primary focus is to be on the driving task, and only you can ignore or eliminate distractions.
Vehicle Malfunction – On occasion, a motor vehicle can malfunction and cause the driver to lose control and have an accident. Tires can blow out, brakes can fail, or other mechanical breakdowns can render a driver helpless to control a speeding vehicle.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Numerous factors contribute to the types of injures that can be suffered in a car accident. Angle of impact, speed, size and weight of the vehicles involved, and more can all make a difference. A car accident injury lawyer will have experience with a variety of injuries suffered through car accidents. Here are some of the most common:
- Brain and Head Injuries
- Penetrating Trauma
- Lacerating Trauma
- Scuff or Friction Trauma
- Limb Injuries
- Back and Spinal Injuries
- Burns
- Internal Trauma
- Emotional or Psychological Injuries
Our West Bloomfield Car Accident Injury Lawyers
When you hire a car accident injury lawyer, it doesn’t mean you must appear in court. Although guarantees are impossible to give in the preliminary stages of a car accident injury case, it is true that most car accident victims arrive at an equitable settlement out of court. A car accident injury lawyer like Marc J. Shefman can help you in the following ways:
- Settlement Negotiation – A car accident injury lawyer represents your interests in all negotiations with other parties, including insurance companies.
- Accident Investigation – Investigating the scene of the accident and gathering evidence t support your case is a vital role that your car accident injury lawyer will fulfill.
- Insurance Company Negotiations – Both your insurance company and the insurance company of other drivers involved in the accident have an interest in saving money. Your car accident injury lawyer will negotiate to win you the best possible settlement.
- Dealing with Creditors – Victims of a car accident are often unable to work, resulting in trouble with creditors. Your car accident injury lawyer can deal with these creditors on your behalf, informing them of ongoing efforts toward a settlement.
- Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit – There are times when negotiations reach an impasse, and your case must be decided by the courts. Your car accident injury lawyer will fight to win your case and get you the compensation you deserve for your accident.
Marc J. Shefman is an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer who faithfully serves West Bloomfield and the surrounding communities in Metro Detroit. Call us today or contact us online to arrange your free consultation to learn more about how Michigan car accident laws apply to your situation and if you can file a claim.
