Personal injuries in Oregon are a leading cause of death and disability. They impact tens of thousands of people each year and result in billions of dollars in medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. In most cases, the accidents that cause them are largely preventable. Our Oregon personal injury attorneys offer tips to reduce your risks in 2023.
Know The Facts About Personal Injuries
Most of us end up making resolutions for the new year, many of which focus on maintaining our health and overall wellbeing. However, few factor in the potential for personal injuries or how their actions can increase their risks.
According to the Oregon Health Authority Department of Health Statistics (DHSOHA), more than 2,000 people are killed due to accidents each year, representing nearly 10 percent of all deaths in the state. Thousands more suffer serious, potentially disabling personal injuries. It is important to be aware of common ways in which they happen. These include:
- Car accidents;
- Truck accidents;
- Bicycle accidents;
- Pedestrian accidents;
- Falls and other accidents that occur in public places;
- Sports and recreational accidents;
- Accidents that happen due to defective products.
Reducing Personal Injury Risks In 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that personal injuries send nearly 100 million people to hospital emergency rooms annually and result in billions of dollars in medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. While these often happen due to the reckless and negligent actions of others involved, there are ways to reduce your risks. This New Year, make some resolutions to protect yourself and your loved ones. These include:
- Get enough sleep: Missing even one or two hours of sleep at night causes major impairments that increase accident risks.
- Pay attention: Being distracted is a common cause of car accidents in Oregon, but also increases the likelihood of other accidents resulting in personal injuries.
- Slow down: Being in a rush makes you less likely to take standard safety precautions and increases the odds of dangerous mistakes, which could cause accidental injuries.
- Be sober: Whether you are driving, walking, biking, or performing tasks around your home, be aware of how any amount of alcohol, recreational drugs, or certain medications increases accident risks.
It is also important to be aware of what to do if, dispute your precautions, any type of accident or injury does occur. To protect your health and your rights in filing a claim, notify the police or other authority so an accident report can be filed, get the names of witnesses and gather other evidence at the scene, and seek medical attention immediately, regardless of your symptoms.
Contact Our Oregon Personal Injury Attorneys
Personal injuries can put a major damper on your new year, causing health and financial impacts that affect you and your loved ones for years to come. To get the compensation you need to recover, reach out to the Johnston Law Firm. Call (503) 546-3167 or contact our Oregon personal injury online to schedule a consultation.