Car crashes happen on a daily basis, and unfortunately, many of them are fatal for victims. As the latest data available shows, in 2018, Arkansas (with a population of 3,013,825 at that time) saw 472 automobile crashes that led to 516 deaths. The state’s car crash rates are incredibly high: on average, there are 1.9 crashes for every 100 million cars driven. Comparing the rates to the state’s population, there are 2,169.5 vehicle collisions for every 100,000 residents. This accounts for 5,227 crashes monthly, 1,206 weekly, and almost 172 daily – which means every 8 minutes and 20 seconds, a car accident happens in Arkansas. Among the cities with the most car accidents in the state, Little Rock ranks first, followed by North Little Rock and Fort Smith.
Driving under the influence is the main culprit for car accidents
As a report from National Highway Traffic Safety Facts suggests, 545 deaths that happened in 2016 in Arkansas were caused by drunk driving. Unfortunately, driving under alcohol influence is a serious crime that frequently occurs in Arkansas, putting other drivers’ lives at risk. However, the state has strict laws for driving while intoxicated, so those at fault can either plead or go to trial.
Besides drunk driving, other factors lead to car accidents. For instance, many drivers use their phones while on the road, increasing the risk of an accident. Distractions should be avoided when driving because nothing else is more important than the safety of the people on the road. In some instances, car accidents can happen because of drowsy driving, which can be very dangerous, especially for truckers who tend to disregard time limits.
Most common injuries associated with car accidents in Arkansas
In some instances, both the at-fault driver and the accident victims can walk out of the unfortunate event unscathed. But that’s only a matter of luck, and oftentimes, car crashes lead to injuries that impact victims for the rest of their lives, leaving them not dealing not only with the physical pain but also with the trauma. During a vehicle collision, individuals can hit their head against the steering wheel, the windshield or the car’s dashboard, potentially leading to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which in some cases can be fatal for victims. Whiplash injuries are also common, as during an accident, an individual’s neck can bend back and forth violently, damaging tendons and muscles in the neck. Finally, victims can deal with back injuries after the accident.
It doesn’t matter if a car accident happens at 10 mph or 100 mph. Its impact can significantly alter victims’ lives, and recovering from the injuries is a lengthy process that may take months or even years. Besides the physical and emotional suffering, victims also struggle financially because they have to cover all the medical bills, which can be very costly. This is why they often turn to a Little Rock Personal Injury Lawyer to help them get compensation for their losses. Legal experts have the knowledge required to deal with a car crash case and ensure a positive outcome, lifting the victims’ financial burden.
Car crashes often happen in Arkansas, leaving victims traumatized. In order to reduce the alarming numbers of accidents happening daily, drivers must take preventive measures, avoid distractions, and never get in the car if they have drunk alcohol before.
