Posts Tagged ‘Surviving’

Your Age Can Affect Your Likelihood of Surviving a Car Crash in Miami

Saturday, June 8th, 2013

A new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), based on 50 years of accident information, reveals that different age groups have different chances of surviving a car accident. If you are in a car accident in Miami or anywhere in Florida, these numbers could be significant:

•Female motorists between the ages of 21 to 30 have a 29.2 percent higher risk of being killed in a car accident than male motorists in the same age group involved in similar accidents.
•By age 70, women and men have the same risk of sustaining fatal injuries in a car collision.
•Female motorists between the ages of 65 and 74 have a 1.4 percent lower risk of being killed in a car collision when compared with male motorists in the same age group involved in similar accidents.
•The overall risk of female passengers and drivers being killed in a car accident in 17% higher when compared with male passengers and drivers in the same accident.
•The overall risk of being killed in a car accident increases with age. A 75-year-old male driver or passenger is four times more likely to die in a car accident when compared with a 21-year-old female in the same type of collision. A 75-year-old male driver or passenger is five times more likely to die in a car accident when compared with a 21-year-old male in the same accident.
•Between 1995 and 2002, the risk of sustaining fatalities in a car accident for all age groups decreased 42%.

According to the NHTSA, the numbers can be explained by physical differences over time and between men and women. Younger women, for example, are smaller than men, generally, of the same age. In a car accident, this can mean that women are more likely to be thrown from the car and more likely to sustain life-threatening head injuries in Miami or their community. For older drivers, female drivers and passengers have a slightly lower fatality rate, according to the NHTSA, because women in their later years tend to be healthier, on average, than their male counterparts. Across all age groups, car accident fatalities have declined in part due to more universal seat belt use and car safety improvements.

Of course, age alone does not determine one’s ability to survive a traffic accident in Miami or any community. There are many things that individuals can do at any age to increase their chances of surviving a car or truck accident in Miami or their community. For example, wearing a seat belt and getting proper driver training can reduce the risk of serious injury. Following the rules of the road and driving carefully can also reduce the risk of being in a car collision in the first place. Motorists at all age groups can also take care of their physical fitness and their health to improve their chances of surviving an accident.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Surviving a Motorcycle Accident in Miami Gardens or Your South Florida Community

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Studies have concluded that if you are in a motorcycle accident you are thirty times more likely to suffer fatal injuries when compared with someone in a car collision. The reason is because you have fewer layers of protection. In a motorcycle crash, you are likely to be flung from your vehicle and come into contact with other cars, your bike, or the pavement with very few layers of protection. As a result, each year many people are rushed to emergency rooms with injuries (such as head injuries) in Miami Gardens and other communities.

The Government Accountability Office reports around 82,000 people are injured in motorcycle accidents and more than 4500 suffer fatal injuries annually. The average cost of a fatal accident costs .2 million while injuries in motorcycle accidents cost 00 to .4 million. The total cost of motorcycle accidents across the country is billion or more per year. This cost does not take into consideration the devastation and personal grief and suffering these types of traffic accidents in Miami Gardens and other American cities cause. According to the Government Accountability Office and other experts, there are a number of ways to decrease your risk:

1) Wear a helmet. The Government Accountability Office has stated that the best way to reduce the costs and risks of motorcycle accidents is to make helmet use mandatory. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, helmets saved 1550 lives in 2010 alone and the CDC reports that the helmets saved billion dollars in collision costs. Experts say that helmets reduce the death rate in motorcycle accidents by 39%. Although not all states require helmet use for all riders and while Florida does not have universal helmet laws, wearing a helmet each time you hop on your bike can greatly increase your chances of surviving a motorcycle accident in Miami Gardens or your community.

2) Learn to ride a motorcycle responsibly. If you want to learn how to avoid a motorcycle-car accident, Miami Gardens and most South Florida communities have qualified instructors and classes that can help you learn the basics of safe riding. In some cases, taking classes can even help you save money on your insurance costs.

3) Take safety seriously. Be cautious when riding your motorcycle. Stay completely focused on the road – distracted driving causes many motorcycle and car accidents in Miami Gardens and across South Florida each year. Ride only when sober, well-rested, and prepared to ride safely. Always follow all traffic rules. While motorcycles are more flexible and allow you to take certain risks on the road, taking those risks can cost you your life.

4) Stay visible. Wear reflective clothing and use lights, especially when riding at night. Opt for lighter clothes that are easy to see. Many motorcycle accidents happen because motorists simply do not notice a motorcycle in time.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Surviving a Miami Rollover Accident

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

Many people associate rollover accidents with Miami truck accidents, but rollovers can occur with virtually any type of vehicle. In fact, many passenger cars are involved in Miami rollover accidents every day, especially as customers have become more interested in vans, SUVs, and other larger vehicles that have a high center of gravity. In the right conditions, virtually any type of passenger vehicle can roll over.

Unfortunately, rollovers can be among the most deadly and dangerous accidents on Miami roads. During a rollover, passengers and any unsecured cargo in the vehicle are generally tossed around violently. Any unsecured cargo can easily come flying at passengers at high speeds, causing Miami brain injuries, broken bones, and even fatal injuries. As well, many passengers in these types of accidents may be ejected from the vehicle, causing even more injury. Rollover accidents also increase the likelihood of multiple vehicle accidents and car fires, making these crashes even more deadly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that drivers take several precautions to reduce the risks of these types of accidents:

1) Wear a seatbelt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belt use is one of the most important factors in determining injury and survival rates in an accident. According to the organization, passengers who wear seat belts are 75% more likely to survive a rollover accident, because in most traffic accidents of this kind, fatal injuries occur when passengers are ejected from the car.

2) Load your car carefully. Consult your vehicle’s manual to determine how much your car can carry and stick to that limit. If you use a roof rack, be especially careful about how much weight you place on top of your car, as excess weight on a roof rack can change the center of gravity of your car and actually increase your risk of an accident. As well, make sure that you secure everything in your car, including laptops, tools, and any heavy items. In the event of an accident, this prevents the items from becoming dangerous projectiles.

3) Be especially wary on highways and rural roads, where the risk of rollovers are higher. Any narrow road, curvy road, or high-speed road leaves you less of a margin for error.

4) If one of your tires goes off the road, avoid overcorrecting. Panicking and overcorrecting or over-steering increase the likelihood that you will be in a rollover. If one of your car tires goes off the road, it is best to gradually reduce your speed and gently ease your tires back onto the pavement.

5) Keep yourself focused on driving. According to the NHTSA, the most common reasons for rollover accidents are fatigued driving, drunk driving, and speeding. Drive only when you are in good condition to do so. Do not add to the statistics about Miami drunk driving accidents and fatigued driving accidents.

6) Keep your tires in good condition. Incorrectly inflated or worn tires can cause you to go into a slide, which can increase the chances of a rollover. Check your tires regularly and replace them as needed. Poor tire maintenance can lead to Miami tire blowouts and other problems that can cause a rollover.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog