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Why car crashes are more severe these days

On Behalf of | Mar 27, 2023 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

There are many factors that might determine how severe a car accident may be. For instance, an accident that takes place on a Florida highway may be more severe than one that takes place on a service road because vehicles tend to travel at higher speeds on a highway. However, this is not the only reason why accidents are more severe today than in years past.

Vehicles are larger

In recent years, drivers have become increasingly comfortable with purchasing larger cars to accomodate all their needs, leading to more trucks and SUVs on the road. These vehicles are significantly taller and heavier than a compact or subcompact passenger car. This means that a collision between the two could result in more serious injuries and property damage for those in a smaller vehicle. Furthermore, a truck or SUV may be more likely to strike a pedestrian in the torso and cause severe bodily injury.

Drivers are not paying attention to the road

Drivers who are distracted by their phones, passengers or other things, may not slow down prior to a collision or brake fast enough to prevent an accident. The force of the impact with another vehicle may be powerful enough to push it into other vehicles, objects or pedestrians. This may cause a chain reaction that could have been avoided if the driver who caused the initial crash had been paying attention to the road in front of them.

Not everyone wears a seatbelt

Anyone inside a vehicle who isn’t wearing a seatbelt at the moment of impact may be vulnerable to being ejected from it. They may also be more likely to sustain injuries from being thrown against hard surfaces inside of the car or truck in the moments after a motor vehicle crash. Although you may believe that a seatbelt traps you inside of a car, the truth is that it can also minimize your risk of serious injuries.

If you are hurt in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. However, this is only true if you can prove that your losses were caused by the negligent behavior of another person or entity.