Springfield is Massachusetts’ third-largest city. It is located on the Connecticut River in the western part of the state. Springfield is about 1.5 hours west of Boston, 1.5 hours from Albany, NY, and about a half-hour from Hartford, Connecticut. The population in 2020 was 155,929.
Springfield, often known as the City of Firsts, is home to the 1st American Dictionary and the home of the invention of basketball. It is also a part of what is known as the Knowledge Corridor, where more than 160K college students attend classes at more than 30 higher learning institutions – the second-highest concentration of colleges and universities in the nation.
The CDC reports about 3,000,000 people are injured in a car crash every year, which caused more than 36,000 fatalities in 2019. The city of Springfield is ranked among the ten worst cities with regard to driving conditions. According to Allstate, drivers, based on historical statistics, tend to become involved in a car crash about every 5.8 years. This nearly six years compares to the national average of a car crash that occurs every 10.57 years.
Because most individuals rely on their car for commuting, running errands, or any other task, the risk of an accident is present at any time. When an automobile crash occurs in the greater Springfield, Massachusetts area, it is important to contact a skilled injury law firm to protect your rights and to represent you if you choose to pursue a legal claim for damages.
What are the Factors that Contribute to Motor Vehicle Accidents?
The following represents some of the significant contributors to automobile and road crashes
Speeding – According to the World Health Organization, an increase in a car’s average speed is directly related to
- The increased likelihood of a vehicle being involved in an accident
- To the seriousness of the results of the accident
Failure To Use Seat Belts – According to the World Health Organization, seat belts reduce the risk of death for drivers (& front-seat passengers) by up to 50%.
Driving Under the Influence – the risk of an accident increases dramatically when the driver has a blood alcohol concentration level (a.k.a., BAC) greater than or equal to 0.04 g/dl.
Driver Fatigue
- Poor Road Infrastructure, Hazards, and/or Management Of Roads – the IIHS reports that 45% of accident deaths occurred in a rural area.
- Distracted Driving (i.e., Texting & Driving) includes any behavioral choice that causes you to lose your focus on the road or take your hands off the wheel.
- Tailgating – limits a driver’s reaction time, which is needed to avoid an accident.
- Falling Asleep At The Wheel
What to Do After You’ve Been Involved in A Car Accident
After a car crash, these steps are essential to ensure you follow the law and that everyone is safe.
1. Check If You Are Injured
Do not try to move if seriously injured. Call emergency services or ask someone else to call.
2. Check On Others Involved In The Crash
If you are unhurt, check on the others in the car. If necessary, call 911 or ask a bystander to call.
3. Move To Safety
If you can, move to safety. If the car is causing a traffic hazard and can be driven, move it to the side of the road.
4. Call 911 to Report the Accident
Generally, reporting all accidents to the police is a good idea, and certain states require accident reports by law.
5. Wait for Help
Turn on Hazards or set out flares for safety while waiting.
6. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Obtain the name and contact number of the other driver and insurance company, plus the vehicle ID and accident location.
7. Begin Documenting the Accident
Ask for a copy of the police report and take pictures of the accident if it is safe to do so. If witnesses are present at the scene of the crash, try to get their contact information and an idea of what they saw.
8. Notify Your Insurance Company To Start the Claim’s Process
It is smart to call the insurer at the scene (if possible) so that they can guide a dazed driver through the required steps.
The insurance company will determine the damages and offer a settlement. Unfortunately, not every insurer offers a fair settlement amount.
If you have a serious injury that was caused by a car accident and believe it was of no fault of yours, you need to contact a skilled injury law firm to represent you – if the insurance company’s settlement offer is unacceptable based on the injuries you have sustained.
Fortunately, newer car models have cutting-edge safety features that have been shown to reduce injuries; however, they have their limitations, especially in the case of a serious accident. And an airbag deployment may save a life but cause a concussion, potentially impacting the injured party for life. Injuries suffered in a car crash may result in significant losses. These include ongoing medical costs, lost income due to an inability to work, or pain & suffering, etc.
By consulting a qualified lawyer, you have the option to explore the legal solutions that provide a mechanism for fair compensation. An injury lawyer documents the other driver’s culpability, vehicle malfunction, or roadway defect that may have contributed to or caused the motor vehicle crash. Then, if necessary, the attorney can bring the lawsuit for a court hearing if the matter cannot be resolved outside the courtroom.
If you have sustained injuries because of another’s negligence or product/road defect, you may have a legal solution by pursuing a claim for compensation regarding the above-noted losses. But note, depending on the jurisdiction, you may only have a limited amount of time to pursue a claim under the law.