Auto Accidents: Different Results Yet Same Message

In Las Vegas, police responded to an auto accident resulting in two fatalities. The accident occurred when the driver of a Ford Fusion traveling westbound T-boned a Dodge Stratus traveling northbound pushing both vehicles across the intersection. The accident is still under investigation, but initial reports state that the twenty-eight year old driver was speeding and failed to stop at a red light. The negligent driver suffered serious injuries, but the couple in the Stratus died at the scene.

Across the state, speeding and alcohol appears to be the cause of a single vehicle accident. Witnesses said the female driver of a 2001 Volvo was traveling in excess of 100 mph and was extremely reckless. According to police, after the woman lost control, the vehicle went airborne and landed on its roof atop a cement median. The driver was ejected from the driver-side window; her husband was partially ejected from the passenger-side window. Both were transported to an area hospital; no details have been released regarding their condition.

According to the National Safety Commission, speeding almost triples the odds of being involved in an accident and driving under the influence continues to contribute to serious injuries and death. When traveling at high speeds, reaction time is most often not enough to avoid an accident. Add impairment, such as alcohol, and the reaction time is even slower.

Speeding is a deliberate and calculated behavior where the driver knows the risk, but ignores the danger. Excessive speed

• reduces a driver’s ability to negotiate turns, curves or maneuver around obstacles.
• extends the distance necessary to stop.
• exponentially increases the force of impact.
• increases the risk of fatalities especially at speeds over 60 mph.

Unfortunately, many drivers choose to drive and behave in ways that increase their risk of an auto accident. They are under the impression that it will never happen to them; they drive over the speed limit on a regular basis (90% of all licensed drivers speed at some point; 75% admit to speeding regularly) or have had one too many drinks and still arrived home safely. Although you may have driven too fast, under the influence, or even while fatigued in the past and always avoided an accident, these risks are real and may eventually catch up with you.

Let these, and other recent auto accidents be a reminder that serious and fatal injuries can, and do happen every day. Heed the warnings on TV, in the newspapers, and the Internet and drive safely – for your safety and others on the roadways.

Mark Bello has thirty-three years experience as a trial lawyer and twelve years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life funding is needed during litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Business Associate of the Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado Associations for Justice, a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.