Advancements in automotive safety have led to declines in auto accident fatalities in recent years. However, car accidents are still the leading cause of death for young people. Even the most safety-conscious among us runs the risk of a serious accident. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in an auto accident, you need the expertise of our Prescott car accident lawyer.
Causes of Auto Accident Fatalities
There may be many factors leading up to any car accident that can overlap, leading to the complex process of legal accountability. Yet, certain factors are more often associated with fatalities in auto accidents including:
- Drugs and Alcohol: Drunk driving is still the leading cause of all fatal car accidents in the United States. More and more, drugs are also playing a role. Alcohol and other drug impairment lead to risky behaviors such as speeding. When coupled with reduced reaction time, this is a recipe for disaster.
- Distractions: While cell phones are the most commonly cited distraction involved in fatal crashes, anything that takes your attention from the road is considered a distraction. Even allowing yourself to get lost in thought while driving can prove fatal.
- Speed: Accidents that take place at higher rates of speed are far more likely to have fatal outcomes. The physics of auto travel mean that for every three miles per hour of increase in speed, the risk of death in a crash doubles. Speed is a factor in more than 40 percent of all fatal crashes.
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, please contact our lawyer in Sedona today at (928) 778-2660 to schedule your consultation. The Jensen Phelan Law Firm, P.C. serves clients throughout Northern Arizona including Sedona, Prescott and Prescott Valley.
