Study: Highway Infrastructure Improvements Could Save Lives & Money
Human error has always been the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. and around the world. Ultimately, it is up to us to decrease driver error and pay attention to the task of driving. However, a recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety proposes another possible solution: an investment in highway safety improvements.
The suggested improvements, which could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars in accident related costs, would be designed to warn distracted drivers and create room to maneuver around hazards or disabled vehicles.
Some of the improvements recommended in the safety proposals include:
- Converting key intersections into roundabouts
- Installing roadside barriers
- Clearing roadside objects
- Adding sidewalks and pedestrian crossings
- Installing barriers on divided highways
- Adding rumble strips
- Paving and widening shoulders.
According to the study, an investment of $146 billion in highway infrastructure improvement spending has the potential to do the following over a 20-year period:
- Save an estimated 63,700 lives
- Prevent 353,560 serious injuries
- Save about $348.4 billion in accident-related costs (like costs arising from lost production, medical expenses, increased insurance premiums and property damage).
Of course, the proposed $146 billion in infrastructure spending would have to come from somewhere. At a time when polarization in Washington is high and many state and local governments are cash-strapped, the likelihood of passing legislation to fund these improvements is uncertain.
In Denver, voters recently approved a $937 million bond package that includes $431 million for “transportation and mobility” spending, but not all of that will go to funding the types of highway improvements the study has recommended for enhancing roadway safety in rural and urban areas.
Regardless of whether or when highway infrastructure improvements are made, all drivers still have a duty to safely operate their vehicles and take precautions to avoid collisions.
If you have been injured by a careless, reckless or negligent driver, contact a Denver car accident attorney at Bell & Pollock, P.C. for help seeking the compensation you deserve.
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Case Results
WE KNOW HOW TO WIN
CASE: Client was injured by a drunk driver. As a result of the motor vehicle accident, client was rendered a quadriplegic and needed a life care plan.
Outcome: $9,600,000
CASE: Against Insurance company for failure to pay for property damage after a gas and fire explosion.
Outcome: $1,600,000
CASE: Medical malpractice for failure to diagnose a descending aorta aneurism, resulting in death.
Outcome: $1,300,000
CASE: Neck and back injuries from car accident. Client had ongoing symptoms and needed injections for attempted remediation of pain.
Settled for $485,000
CASE: Client was injured in a 2 vehicle collision. She suffered a traumatic brain injury, concussion and multiple injuries to the neck.
Outcome: $6,000,000
CASE: Client was in her car and was T-Boned by a commercial vehicle. Her cerebral spinal fluid leaked and she suffered a concussion and traumatic brain injury with neck and lumbar (low back) injuries. Her neck injury caused radiating pain, numbness and tingling in her arms.
Outcome: $3,400,000
CASE: Client was driving on a rural road when another car crossed the center line and caused a head-on collision in the snow and ice. Client did physical work for a living. Both knees were injured, along with a neck injury.
Outcome: $2,300,000
CASE: Client was driving on South Parker road when another vehicle rapidly changed lanes and rear-ended the client. That vehicle was cited for careless driving. The collision caused a concussion with traumatic brain Injury. Client missed time from work and had a positive correlation between brain scan and neuropsychological test results.
Outcome: $950,000
CASE: Client was rear ended by a dump truck, was then knocked forward and hit another vehicle. Client had a concussion with traumatic brain injury. Client underwent a brain scan which showed hypoperfusion, correlated with her concussion symptoms. Client suffered neck injuries and injuries to her low back.
Outcome: $650,000
CASE: Client was rear-ended. The mechanism of injury from the forces in the collision caused her neck injury and at the same time, damaged her organs inside her throat. Client had swallowing and choking issues.
Outcome: $1,250,000
CASE: Client was in a motor vehicle accident. Both injections in the neck rendered some temporary relief. The Injections were transforaminal epidural steroid injections. Surgery was recommended on the lumbar (low back). The low back was injured by the forces in the collisions.
Outcome: $933,000
CASE: The client was driving in her car and was rear-ended thereby causing injuries to her lower back and neck. Client also suffered a concussion. Client had to undergo facet injections multiple times, through multiple procedures. Client also had cognitive issues which required cognitive training and therapy.
Outcome: $400,000
CASE: Client was entering a highway from an on ramp and was rear-ended by a commercial van. Client tested positive for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and failed conservative treatment. Client underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgey, which involved removal of the first rib to attempt to relieve pressure in the thoracic outlet. Client also suffered a back injury.
Outcome: $750,000
CASE: Client was injured by a drunk driver, who crossed the center line of the road. Client underwent multiple surgeries and could not work. Client was late 40s and needed a modified life care plan.
Outcome: $750,000
CASE: Client was rear ended by a tow truck driver who was a diabetic. The diabetic at fault party was a non-compliant diabetic and claimed he had a syncope episode, and was “blacked out”. Client had a preexisting back condition known and the forces from the collision aggravated, or made worse, the preexisting back condition in addition to, causing neck injuries.
Outcome: $350,000
CASE: Client was a passenger in a car where the driver fell asleep on a country road in the early morning hours. The car rolled multiple times. Client had eye injuries, facial injuries and neck and knee injuries.
Outcome: $850,000
CASE: Client was on the job, driving her own car, when she was rear-ended. She suffered a concussion with traumatic brain injury and pursued Workers Compensation Claim.
Outcome: $150,000
CASE: Client slipped and fell on snow and ice in Central City. He suffered back injuries, that did not require injections.
Outcome: $125,000
CASE: Client slipped and fell on snow and ice on a sidewalk in front of a business. She had to have knee surgery and multiple injections in her back.
Outcome: $175,000
CASE: Client was visiting a friend who was renting a house. Client tripped on untreated, dangerous section of deck and injured his back.
Outcome: $150,000
CASE:Client was rear ended and needed fusion spinal surgery. Insurance proceeds were limited.
Outcome: $125,000
CASE:Client was rear-ended and had to have rotator cuff surgery. Insurance proceeds were limited.
Settled for $65,000
CASE:Client was at Denver International Aiport traveling through Denver, slipped and fell and broke her ankle.
Settled for $118,750
CASE:Client was exposed to mold in a multi-family dwelling that was caused by leaking water.
Settled for $125,000
CASE:Motorcycle accident, reconstructive surgery, post-traumatic stress disorder, neurological injuries
Settled for $1,275,000
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