The very first auto accident fatality occurred in London in 1896. 25 million since then.

Problem is. there are more things now than ever to distract them, cell phones, kids televisions,
GPS systems and others are contributing factors but not the main cause. According to a study
conducted by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), texting -- rubbernecking -- or slowing down to gawk at another accident -- caused the most accidents, accounting for 16 percent of all distraction-related crashes.

Mark Edwards, Director of Traffic Safety at the American Automobile Association stated, "The research tells us that somewhere between 25-50 percent of all motor vehicle crashes in this country really have driver distraction as their root cause."

After rubbernecking, other common driver distractions included driver fatigue (12 percent), looking at scenery (10 percent), other passengers or children (9 percent), djusting the radio, cassette or CD player (7 percent) and eading the newspaper, books, maps or other documents (less than 2 percent).

Another increasingly serious cause of driver distraction is cell phone use, as more than 85 percent of the estimated 100 million cell-phone users talk on their phone regularly while driving, according to a Prevention magazine survey. At least one study has found that driving and talking on a cell phone at the same time quadruples the risk of crashing, which is why many cities have recently begun banning their use while driving unless a hands-free device is used.

Drowsy drivers account for over 100,000 accidents every year in the United States, according to the U.S. National Traffic Safety Administration. The risk is greatest from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., the time when most people are used to sleeping, however some people also become drowsy from noon to 2 p.m.

Symptoms of driver fatigue include heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, a drifting vehicle that wanders over road lines, varying vehicle speed for no reason, misjudging traffic situations, seeing things "jump out" in the road, feeling fidgety or irritable and daydreaming.

Drunk driving, speeding, aggressive driving and weather finish out the list of the top causes of traffic related accidents which in addition to fatalities cause millions of personal injuries annually and that number is expected to continue to rise according to the World Health Organization.

As these injuries occur the victims seek ways to cope with life-upsetting events, from injury and
mental anguish to added financial burden. This brings Ohio personal injury lawyers into the scene. An injury can cause you to lose your income, be unable to perform what once were considered simple, routine tasks.

Additional articles about Ohio personal injury lawyers

About the author

If you feel that you are entitled to compensation from an accidental injury, the Cleveland - Ohio injury lawyers at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy know what matters most after you suffer a serious injury—experience, dedication, and results. Since 1928, Ohio auto accident lawyer have provided thorough and aggressive representation for victims throughout Ohio, seeking justice on behalf of the injured.

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