It is an unfortunate reality that an auto accident is a constant possibility when out on the road. Residents of Kentucky and Indiana are undoubtedly aware of this, some by experiencing it firsthand. Research can often be beneficial to understand how and why an accident might have occurred. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently released a report stated that the recklessness of millennials is a significant issue.
These drivers, between the ages of 19 and 24, were found to be more likely to do the following: go above the speed limit by 10 to 15 miles per hour; go through a red light when they could have stopped; engage in texting and driving; and operate their vehicles after using marijuana. The executive director of AAA says that drivers in this age range are of the belief that they can drive their vehicles with these behaviors and it is acceptable to do so. This information was released as the number of drivers who were killed in an auto accident has been rising steadily.
In 2015, there were more than 35,000 people killed in a car crash. That is a rise of more than 7 percent from 2014. Auto accidents are the most common causes of death among teens. In their study, AAA found that 88 percent of drivers age 19 to 24 said that they had driven above the speed limit, gone through a red light, or texted while driving. Millennials were 1.6 times more likely to use their smartphones for texting or emails while driving; they almost two times as likely to type or send an email or text; they drove 10 mph over the speed limit 1.4 times as frequently as other drivers; they were more than two times as likely to speed while in a school zone; and almost half ran a red light. Seven percent of millennials said they smoked pot on a regular basis within an hour of getting behind the wheel.
These statistics are a concern for any driver, but they are even more important to consider after there has been an accident. Knowing how it happened can be accomplished through crash reconstruction and this can help a case seeking compensation. Since car accidents can lead to hefty medical expenses, lost time at work, a need for long-term care and worse, a lawsuit is often the only way to make up for it. Discussing the matter with an attorney who can help with moving forward with a claim is imperative.
Source:ย Kentucky.com, โWho are the worst drivers? Millennials say they are,โ Ashley Halsey III, Feb. 15, 2017
Texting and driving and other risky acts common for millennials
By: by: Gayle Gerling Pettinga
Born and raised in Evansville, Gayle is a respected, experienced lawyer and a valued community leader. She graduated near the top of her class at Indiana Universityโs prestigious Maurer School of Law. Sheโs practiced law with one of the largest firms in Indianapolis as well as one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. And that means she knows how big law firms and big companies think and how they operate โ and she will put that knowledge to work for you.
Gayle has received numerous awards and honors including Martindale-Hubbell โ Peer Review Rated: AVยฎ, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys in Indiana for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, and YWCA Evansville 100 Years, 100 Women Honoree, 2011.