A male driver was seriously injured late Sunday afternoon when he lost control of his vehicle which caused it to flip. The single car incident occurred around 4:50 pm on HWY 431 near Huntsville, AL. According to Huntsville police, the driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Since the driver lost control, authorities are investigating whether *speed* was a factor.
This tragedy is all too common across the nation, but especially in the state of Alabama. Car wrecks are the NUMBER 1 cause of death for people aged 15-24 (and women under 35). Surprisingly, very few traffic fatalities are “accidents”. Instead, studies have proven that almost all traffic deaths are caused by seven predictable choices or decisions drivers make which cause 99 percent of ALL road fatalities. The Citrin Safety Foundation calls these decisions, D.A.N.G.E.R.S.:
Distractions (texting, eating, applying make-up, pets, etc.)
Alcohol/drugs (driving impaired)
No seat belts (failing to buckle up)
Groups (too many young passengers)
Exhaustion (fatigue)
Riding bumpers (tailgating)
Speed (exceeding the speed limit or failing to slow down for weather or traffic)
Each of these D.A.N.G.E.R.S. represents a choice or decision on the part of the driver or passenger to the basic safety rules of the road we are all required to follow. As Founder and injury lawyer Andy Citrin is fond of saying: Decisions are not accidents. To prevent these deaths, the National Safety Council developed a program called, “Alive at 25”, which has been proven to be 90% effective in reducing young drivers from making these deadly driving decisions. Because Alabama ranks 3rd worst in the U.S. in traffic death, Mr. Citrin teaches the Alive at 25 program free of charge at local schools through the non-profit, Citrin Safety Foundation (CSF). A top-rated, board certified trial attorney with a 26 year track record of winning large verdicts and settlements for people injured through no fault of their own, Citrin has a passion for encouraging safe driving practices and holding individuals accountable for irresponsible driving decisions that harm innocent people.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Citrin Safety Foundation, or would like information about getting Mr. Citrin to teach the program at your school, call Executive Director Pam Winstead at 251-626-7766or visit www.CitrinSafetyFoundation.org. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident through no fault of your own, and you need passionate, proven, and professional trial lawyers on your side, call the Citrin Law Firm at 251-621-3000 for a FREE consultation or complete the Free Case Review form to the right to begin exploring your legal options today.
