Auto accidents assuredly occur in a wide range of situations in Missouri. Many times they happen because drivers have been on the road for a long time and have difficulty maintaining concentration. Still others who have been driving short periods have still been dealing with aggressive drivers and congested traffic. Crashes can happen in a moment’s notice. It has also generally been known through statistical studies that accidents also happen very close to home in many circumstances, and often within 15 minutes of beginning driving. All of these scenarios are easily acceptable. However, there is a startling statistic that has come to light.
Short trips can equal quick accidents
In a study of motor vehicle accidents using factory-installed safety measurement equipment in newer vehicles, 25% of all accidents in the study group occurred within the first three minutes of driving. Additionally, 43% of study group mishaps happened within the first 10 minutes. The two-year study was conducted in 2018 and 2019 using a sample size of 3.2 million cars.
How information impacts accident claims
This is the type of information that attorneys can use when representing victims of motor vehicle crashes in establishing fault. Even though accident cases in Missouri are adjudicated using pure comparative fault, some attorneys still need to build a strong case for their clients when in a hearing. Drivers who are in the first few minutes of a trip of any type could be found more at fault by a jury under certain circumstances.
All motorists should be ready to drive when they leave their homes or other locations. This particular study is a clear indication that many collisions happen shortly after drivers begin any trip anywhere, and that having other concerns on your mind can be a distraction in many driving situations. Always be alert while driving in Missouri, and especially in urban areas like St. Louis. Even fender-bender accidents can result in serious injuries such as whiplash that can have a long-term impact.
