In 2002, approximately 3,000,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents and another 42,850 people were killed, making auto accidents the leading cause of injury and death in the United States. These NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) reports are very alarming. Even more alarming is that in 40% of those traffic accident fatalities alcohol was a contributing factor and 63% were caused from improper use of seatbelts.

If you drive or travel in an automobile, odds are you will be involved in at least one automobile accident in your lifetime. Protect yourself by observing the rules of the road and also protect yourself against uninsured and underinsured motorists by purchasing the appropriate insurance coverage. Keep in mind that you purchase liability insurance in case you injure or cause property damage to someone else, but you carry uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance coverage to protect yourself. Statistics show that more than 15% of the nation's driving population is uninsured.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident or traffic collision, you may be able to recover damages from the negligent party's insurance company and/or your own if the negligent driver was uninsured or underinsured. Never proceed with a negligence claim without first obtaining legal advice. An attorney experienced in the practice of personal injury law knows the court system, can cut through insurance company red tape, and will make sure you are justly compensated for all current and future damages.