Why Do Good Drivers Get Injured In Bad Accidents?

Good, responsible drivers don’t pose any risk to Providence-area road users. In fact, they are generally less likely to be involved in crashes than distracted drivers, drunk drivers, or speeders.

Unfortunately, responsible drivers are often still injured or killed in accidents caused by reckless drivers. Here’s why.

Distracted Driving Is Still A Leading Cause Of Crashes

Distracted driving has become a growing public safety concern in Providence. Not only do we hear about the devastation distracted drivers cause, we often witness it on our roadways. We see drivers holding cellphones, eating and drinking, looking in the mirror, and doing everything except staying engaged in the task of driving.

Rhode Island’s hands-free law prohibits the use of cellphones while driving, unless they are connected through hands-free or BlueTooth devices. Drivers who violate this rule could be fined up to $100.

The hands-free law may help prevent distracted driving crashes, but not all drivers who are on their phones get caught. Furthermore, the hands-free law doesn’t prohibit other types of distracted driving that don’t involve cellphones.

Good Drivers Can’t Always Avoid Speeders And Drunk Drivers

According to state crash statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Admistration, there were 59 traffic fatalities in Rhode Island in 2018. Out of those:

• 20 were alcohol-related
• 27 were speed-related

Nobody Can Predict When They Will Be Involved In A Crash

No matter how good a driver you are, or how aware you are of your surroundings, nobody can predict when a crash will occur.

For example:

• You could proceed once the light turns green at an intersection. Then, get struck by a driver who sped through a red light.
• You could be struck head-on by a driver who loses control of his or her car.
• You could be rear-ended while stopped at a red light.

When this happens, it usually comes as a shock. You may be severely injured and need prompt medical attention, or your injury may be more subtle, with pain setting in days later.

You did everything you could to stay safe: you paid attention to the road, obeyed the posted speed limits, and never got behind the wheel after having a few drinks. Still, you were left with a heap of medical expenses and lost days at work.

The Law Office of Mark B. Morse has handled cases like yours for more than 25 years. We know that your crash wasn’t your fault and we’ll fight tirelessly to prove it. To find out how we can help maximize your compensation, contact us online or call our Providence office at (401) 831-0555.