Legal News

03-Oct-2022

The Road to Recovery: The Impact of Road Traffic Accidents

When you think of the impact of road traffic accidents, what comes to mind? Perhaps you imagine a life of pain and suffering, lengthy hospital stays, or even a shortened life expectancy. While these are all valid concerns, they don’t have to be the only outcomes. By seeking treatment and staying on top of your health, you can live a long and healthy life. Even if you have a chronic condition, there are many things you can do to make your life easier. From diet and exercise to mental health, there are many ways to improve your quality of life. You wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that all of these things are consequences of crashes on the road; however, the impact does not end there. 

With the rapid pace at which technology is growing, innovations such as autonomous vehicles and telemedicine services will soon become part and parcel of our day-to-day lives. However, for this to happen sooner rather than later, we need to take action now to mitigate the negative effects of road traffic accidents. The good news is that as a result of these collisions becoming more widely understood as an epidemic rather than a natural consequence of operating motor vehicles on public roads, there are many ways we can tackle this issue head-on so that it doesn’t have quite so much scope for damaging our future.

Loss of life and limb

One of the most obvious consequences of road traffic accidents is loss of life, but it can also lead to the loss of limbs. An estimated 50% of accident victims sustain some form of permanent disability, while approximately 10% suffer amputation. These numbers may seem high, but it’s worth noting that in the United States, two-thirds of these accidents are due to the negligence of other road users. In the same country, only one-third of accidents are caused by the driver of the vehicle. If you or a loved one is seriously injured in a traffic collision, you may be forced to adjust your lifestyle to cope with the consequences. This could include expensive long-term medical care, the loss of income due to time spent recovering, or even the inability to work in your chosen profession. On the positive side, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This can help to ease the burden of these expenses and enable you to get your life back on track sooner than expected.

Ongoing medical care

An often overlooked aspect of road traffic accidents is the ongoing medical care that is required by a significant proportion of accident victims. The medical costs of treating these injuries are significant and often go unacknowledged. As a result, these costs are often not factored into the equation when considering the costs of traffic accidents. This can lead to a significant underestimation of the true costs associated with these accidents. The average cost of medical care for a non-fatal accident can be quite high, ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Depending on the severity of the accident, the costs of medical care can be significantly higher. Many people who sustain injuries in crashes do not receive immediate medical attention, which can lead to the injuries getting worse, having a greater impact on the quality of life, and prolonging the recovery process. Comparing data from the United States and France, researchers found that the number of people who go to a doctor after a road traffic accident is significantly lower in the USA than in France. The researchers state that this may be because the French healthcare system is more comprehensive, whereas the USA’s National Health Service is less accessible and more difficult to navigate. This means that accident victims in the USA are less likely to receive the medical care required to treat their injuries.

Psychological impact

While most people focus on physical injuries, it’s important to understand that the psychological impact of a road traffic accident can be just as severe, if not more so. Post-trauma stress, anxiety, and depression are all common reactions to an accident, and they can be just as debilitating as a physical injury. Unfortunately, these issues are often overlooked in the rush to get people back on their feet, but they can have a devastating impact on a person’s quality of life. Traumatic events can change the way you view the world and the way you view yourself. This is especially true if you were the person responsible for the accident. Self-doubt, shame, and guilt are common reactions to a traumatic event, and they are all normal. 

The most important thing you can do is talk about what happened. Communicating with people you trust and letting them help you process your emotions will be the most effective way of dealing with the psychological impacts of trauma. It’s estimated that approximately one-third of accident victims experience psychological distress. The most common psychological effects of road traffic accidents are anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and sleep disorders. These conditions can be extremely debilitating and may even require treatment with medication or therapy. While it may seem as though these issues would subside once the physical injuries have healed, that’s certainly not the case. It’s estimated that one in three accident victims will experience a mental health complication one year after the accident, and one in ten will still be dealing with these issues five years later.

Economic costs

One of the most pressing issues surrounding road traffic accidents is the fact that they cost society an enormous amount of money. This figure was estimated to be $20 billion in the United States in 2021 alone, and it’s expected to rise over the coming years. The breakdown of these costs is as follows: medical care and treatment – $4.8 billion; lost earnings – $4 billion; vehicle repair and damage – $2.9 billion; and road repair costs – $2.2 billion. This staggering figure is reason enough to take action and demand further government investment in reducing the number of accidents on our roads.

Conclusion: Toward a brighter future

The impact of road traffic accidents is devastating, but there are ways to mitigate the effects. From seat belt usage to driverless cars, there are many ways to reduce the risk of being involved in a traffic accident. If you are in an accident, make sure to stay calm, move your car to a safe place if possible, and call the police if there are injuries or significant property damage. In the event of an accident, it is also important to have the right car insurance. Taking action may seem like a daunting proposition, but it’s important to remember that every single person has the power to make a difference. Whether you decide to reduce your own risk of being involved in a crash by taking driving lessons or you take part in campaigns to encourage safer driving, you have the power to improve the lives of millions of people. While there’s no doubt that progress has been made in recent years, there’s plenty of work left to be done. If we want a future where technology like self-driving vehicles is used safely on public roads, then we have to take action now.