Nebraska drivers are likely aware that some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents include drowsy driving, reckless or distracted driving and drunk driving. In addition to these causes, a 2014 data analysis by the Associated Press found that a rise in heavy equipment being driven on the nation’s roadways has significantly increased the number of motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are the main cause of injury throughout the country, and in 2012, these accidents resulted in almost 7,000 people per day being taken to emergency rooms and more than 33,000 deaths.
Experts warn that driving while drowsy is as dangerous as drunk driving, and the long hours worked by commercial drivers can lead to accidents. In 2014, comedian Tracy Morgan was involved in a serious accident after a truck driver who had been on the road for 24 hours straight fell asleep at the wheel and collided with the limousine in which Morgan was riding. One of Morgan’s fellow passengers died in that crash.
Drunk driving also continues to be a problem, and this is particularly true for young people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that 10 percent of young people drive while drunk, and the National Organization for Youth Safety found that about one-third of drivers who died in accidents and were 15 to 20 years of age had a blood alcohol content at or above .08.
Car accidents can cause serious injuries that may take weeks or months to recover from. In some cases, the victim’s loss of income and the medical expenses that are incurred can create significant financial problems. When the accident has been caused by the negligence of another driver, it may be advisable for the victim to file a personal injury lawsuit naming the responsible party as a defendant and seeking an appropriate award of damages.
