Most of us are aware, to some degree, of the personal costs of motor vehicle accidents and the injuries they inflict on accident victims. But how high are these costs, not just to the individual, but to our health care system and our society as a whole?
According to the latest Vital Signs report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2012 over 2.5 million people suffered car crash injuries serious enough to send them to the emergency room. This translates to almost 7,000 people a day going to the ER because of a motor vehicle accident. And out of these 2.5 million people, nearly 200,000 ended up being hospitalized. But the statistics don’t stop there.
The costs we face as a result of motor vehicle accident injuries are quite high indeed. In fact, the lifetime medical costs related to injuries suffered as a result of a motor vehicle crash total approximately $18 billion.
And what about the work lost as a result of crash injuries? According to the report, lifetime work lost in 2012 as a result of injuries due to motor vehicle accidents cost society approximately $33 billion, even more than the associated lifetime medical costs.
According to Ileana Arias, Principal Deputy Director of the CDC, “Motor vehicle crash injuries occur all too frequently and have health and economic costs for individuals, the health care system, and society. We need to do more to keep people safe and reduce crash injuries and medical costs.”
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Los Angeles automobile accident, Bradley I. Kramer and his experienced legal team are here to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.