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Attorney Representation in Phoenix Arizona Since 1996

Fatal Auto Accident

Here are some disturbing but eye opening statistics about fatal auto accidents in the U.S.

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 40,000 people die every year in motor vehicle accidents.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the top cause of death for 3 to 34-year olds and the 9th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. On a sadder note, crashes rank 3rd as the cause of loss of years left to live – that is, how many years are "stolen" from victims. Only heart disease and cancer topped motor vehicle crashes for this metric.
• The National Safety Council (NSC) reports more disconcerting data. For instance, senior citizen drivers tend to be involved in more deadly crashes than do normal adult drivers, and around one-fifth of all US drivers are over 60 years old.
• Older drivers hurt in accidents are nearly twice as likely to be killed or sent to the hospital.
• Teenagers are also, perhaps unsurprisingly, more at risk for being in fatal accidents. The NSC found that nearly 15% of fatal crashes involved teen drivers, who comprise fewer than 6.7% of all licensed drivers on the road.

Additional safety features in vehicles have not led to a decrease in the annual fatality rate – at least not at the rate originally expected.

Motor vehicle fatality rates do appear to be on a slight decline over the past decade. But the introduction of features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and automatic stability control have not yielded the decline in fatality rates originally anticipated. According to journalist Tom Vanderbilt, author of the book Traffic, studies suggest that drivers may engage in riskier behavior, believing that enhanced safety features will protect them. Ironically, this in effect "washes out" the protective effect of the equipment. For instance, a driver may be more likely to follow other vehicles closer, since he feels confident in his anti-lock brakes. But by driving closer, he increases his risk of getting into an accident.

What legal recourses are available to family members of victims of Arizona fatal auto accidents?

Depending on the circumstance of the accident, you may be able to file a claim for:

• funeral expenses
• medical bills
• lost wages
• legal fees and court costs
• punitive damages

Obviously, in the wake of your tragedy, legal action is probably the last thing on your mind. But if you fail to act within a certain timeframe, you may lose the right to place an Arizona car accident claim. More pressingly, you may lose track of crucial evidence you need to take a liable party to court. To that end, call the Arizona personal injury team of Alexis and Mark Breyer today at 602-267-1280. The Breyers are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. Mark holds the distinction of being a certified specialist in injury and wrongful death law in Arizona – a certification that only 2% of AZ attorneys have. Call now, and get some peace of mind about your legal options.