Driving or riding in a motor vehicle is something that most people in Ponca City do on a daily basis, and many people are constantly in their vehicles throughout each and every day. Although automobile use is very common, that does not mean that it doesn't come with some dangers.
The reality is that anytime a person is traveling in a motor vehicle, he or she is at risk for being involved in an accident. According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the number of fatal accidents in the U.S. is rising, climbing to 17,775 in just the first half of this year. Measured against the same period from 2015, that number marks a 10.4 percent increase of the number of deadly accidents on the roadways.
Interestingly, technology may be a double-edged sword when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. Smart phones and other electronic gadgets are becoming more and more popular, but they can easily lead to a dangerous situation when people try to use them while driving. On the other hand, technology could ultimately lead to fewer auto accidents. For example, different companies have developed self-driving cars, which could someday eliminate many of the driver errors that currently lead to accidents.
Regardless of ongoing technological developments, all drivers have a duty for the safety of everyone else on the road around them. Whether because of distraction from a smartphone, or failure to adhere to traffic control devices, negligent drivers are legally responsible for their actions while on the road.
When someone is injured in an accident due to the negligence of another, he or she can pursue medical expenses and other accident-related damages. Likewise, a wrongful death filing is available if the other person's negligence led to the death of a victim.
Source: Tech Times, "Road Fatalities Spiked In The First Half, NHTSA Says: Is Technology The Problem, Or Is It The Solution?," Aaron Mamiit, Oct. 10, 2016
