If you have been injured in a Jackson, Tennessee car accident, calling a Tennessee personal injury attorney can be extremely beneficial to the outcome of your accident. Your attorney will deal directly with the insurance company, allowing you the time to heal without worrying about your medical bills or the damage to your vehicle. In 2014, there were six fatalities in the city of Jackson as a result of an auto accident. One auto accident which resulted in a fatality was the result of an alcohol-impaired person, and one pedestrian was killed in an auto accident during 2014. The areas in Jackson where the fatal accidents occurred include North Parkway East and American Drive, Lindsey Street and Lexington Avenue, North Royal Street, Lane Avenue and North Royal Street, and Whitehall Street.

Madison County ranked third in the overall crash rate numbers as compared to other counties in the state, 59^th in the number of fatal automobile accidents, 16^th in the number of motorcycle accidents and 29^th in the number of auto accidents which are caused by excessive speed. Madison County also rates 4^th for the number of auto accidents by those drivers between the ages of 15 and 24, and 2^nd in the number of auto accidents by senior drivers (those over the age of 65). As of 2012, Jackson was the seventh largest city in the state, and is the county seat of Madison County. Due to its proximity to the city of Memphis, it is expected that Jackson will continue to grow, meaning there are likely to be more auto accidents. It is important to remember that even the relatively minor injuries you received from your Jackson car accident can cause long-term medical issues, if not properly treated. If you would like more detailed information regarding auto accidents, click here to read our Car Accident Guide.

There’s No Place Like Home—for Auto Accidents

According to a Progressive Insurance survey, at least 52 percent of all reported auto accidents occurred five miles or less from the driver’s home, while 77 percent occurred fifteen miles or less from the driver’s home. These numbers are not all that surprising, considering most of us do the majority of our driving close to home as we commute to and from work, take the kids to school and to extracurricular activities, run our errands and visit our friends. In fact, most of us rarely leave our “zone,” unless we are headed out on vacation. Some additional statistics from Progressive on where we have auto accidents includes:

• Only about one percent of auto accidents happen fifty or more miles from the driver’s home;
• Auto accidents are twice as likely to occur within one mile from the driver’s home as compared to twenty miles from the driver’s home;
• Nearly one-quarter of all reported auto accidents happen one mile from the driver’s home;
• The area in the United States which has the highest percentage of auto accidents which happen less than five miles from the driver’s home is the Northwest, with the Midwest coming in second, the West coming in third, the Great Plains coming in fourth, and the Gulf and Mid-Atlantic taking the final two slots of 5 and 6.

Most Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

Auto accidents are the leading cause of injury across the United states, with more than 5.6 million car accidents occurring in 2012. Of those accidents, 30,000 resulted in one or more fatalities, and another 1.6 million involved some level of injury. Although every car accident is different, there are some injuries which occur more often among those involved in an auto crash. Head, neck and back injuries are the most common type of injury sustained in an auto accident. Whiplash and other neck injuries occur when a person’s vehicle is hit by another vehicle.

During such an accident, the head goes back then “snaps” forward, causing neck injury. Head injuries, from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries are also common auto accident injuries. Head injuries can lead to hearing and vision problems as well as an entire list of other serious problems. Back injuries can range from ongoing back pain, to serious spinal cord damage which can cause some level of paralysis.

Other common injuries sustained in an auto accident include broken bones, cuts, scrapes and bruises, and internal injuries. Another less well-known type of injury which can result from a serious auto accident is emotional distress. A person who has been in a serious auto accident may find it very difficult to ever get into a vehicle again. Some will find relief through counseling and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, while others, unfortunately, may not.

Getting the Legal Help You Need After an Auto Accident

If you have suffered injury from your Jackson auto accident, and the accident was the result of the negligence of another driver, it is important that you have an experienced legal advocate on your side. If you are injured, the attorneys from Martinson & Beason, P.C. can help you, just as we have been helping others injured in auto accidents since 1937. We understand the difficulties you may be facing following your auto accident, and want to relieve you of some of the stress you may be experiencing. To find out how an attorney from Martinson & Beason, P.C. can help you, call us today for a free consultation.