Car accidents, the leading cause of death by injury, now make up a considerable proportion of the world’s burden of ill health. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), roughly 1.35 million people are killed each year on roadways worldwide; more than half of those who pass away are pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists. Carnage on the roads is a growing concern in Nigeria. Car accidents are attributable to speed violations, ignoring traffic signs and signals, and driving with the headlights on, to mention but a few. It’s also worth noting that vehicle quality is degrading in Nigeria, which results in an increase in the number of road traffic accidents and the associated death tolls.

The Public Health Threat of Road Accidents in Nigeria: A Rallying Cry

Car accidents remain a persistent global health crisis, with vulnerable road users facing an acute and rising risk of death. Most road traffic accidents are crashes, not accidents. An accident is an unfortunate event, typically the result of carelessness, while a crash is due to the fault of one or more parties. Not all collisions are fatal, to be clear. Still, they’re likely to result in injuries such as whiplash, back and spinal cord injuries, head and/or brain injuries, bone fractures, and psychological injury (anxiety, emotional anguish, fatigue, withdrawal, behavioral changes, etc.). There’s an urgent need for increased advocacy on the sanctity of life and improving road and vehicle quality.

Injuries, in particular, are a neglected public health problem, requiring concerted efforts for effective prevention. Car accidents account for the majority of morbidity and mortality due to all forms of injuries. Road safety has been considered to be the responsibility of the transport sector, so the public health sector has been reluctant to become involved. Indeed, the origin of the human and economic burden lies outside the domain of the public health sector, but casualties put a tremendous strain on already compromised resources. By taking a public health approach to the prevention of road traffic accidents, it’s possible to touch upon the physical, social, emotional, and economic manifestations of this plague.


Traffic Injuries That Don’t Cause Death Cause Disability and Serious Economic Damage to Individuals, Families, And Countries

The consequences of car accidents are various, with victims experiencing problems with regard to physical health but also mental health, social life, and environment. Road traffic accidents often result in injury, disability, and property damage, to say nothing of the financial costs to society and the individuals involved. According to the WHO, these losses arise from the cost of treatment and lost productivity due to premature mortality. Additionally, family members must take time off from work or school to care for the injured, which can cause a significant amount of stress and trauma.

Delays In Identifying and Treating People Injured In A Road Accident Worsen Their Conditions

Serious injuries are diverse in nature (and outcomes), which means that, in some cases, the victims can recover completely within a couple of weeks, while in others, they’re permanently disabled due to the collision. Examples of serious injuries include but aren’t limited to fractures, concussions, severe cuts and lacerations, and internal injuries. They’re the ones that involve considerable long-term damage, consequences, and costs. How fast a condition is identified, diagnosed, and treated can make a world of difference in the patient’s chance of recovery and their long-term well-being. Thus, any delay can engender pain and suffering or irreversible complications.

Road Accidents Can Occur in Various Ways, Each with Unique Legal Implications

A road traffic accident can occur in almost any situation. It’s necessary to understand the cause of the crash to figure out who is liable for the damages arising from the accident. Certain incidents may have legal implications, which must be taken very seriously into account. People who have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else can take legal action for compensation for a personal injury. Nigeria recently signed a trade deal allowing British lawyers to practice international and foreign law so you can engage a qualified lawyer. Please visit https://www.accidentclaims.co.uk/personal-injury-compensation/car-accident-claims to discover the key factors that impact personal injury compensation.

Most states, including Nigeria, follow a tort liability system where victims are compensated when negligence is proven to be the cause of injury. As mentioned earlier, the injured person can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, but attention must be paid to the fact that insurance can’t pay for everything. All drivers on the road owe a duty of care to others to try to avoid causing injury or harm through their actions or inertia. Simply put, they must drive as reasonably as possible. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims ranges from one to six years from the date of the accident.

Injuries And Fatalities from Road Accidents Can Be Avoided by Following Appropriate Precautions

The numbers above are stark and remind us that it’s difficult to reduce the number of road traffic accidents. Besides the human tragedy and wider implications, there are significant economic and non-economic costs shouldered by the entire society. There are a few safety precautions you can stick to that will decrease the chances of getting involved in a car accident. For example, wearing a seatbelt is vital to surviving a crash as it protects the internal organs by controlling the forward movement of the body. Equally, it minimizes head contact and excessive neck motion. Always buckle up, regardless of how short your trip is.

Texting, emailing, or accessing social media while driving takes your eyes off the road, so you’re especially susceptible to danger. Negative effects have been identified in responding correctly to road signs and detecting hazards, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that distracted driving causes more harm than drunk driving. It’s also the duty of the government to ensure the conditions of road safety by coordinating with different sectors, of which mention can be made of transportation, health, law, education, and civilian organizations.