The ATLA, or the American trial lawyers association recently issued a report on the growing number of highway accidents in the United States. The president of the association predicted direly in the forward of the report that the number of deaths resulting from highway accidents is likely to double in the upcoming years unless the Federal government's national safety agencies take more extreme measures to prevent it.

Chief among the causes of highway accidents is a lack of adequate minimum protection standards for design and maintenance of automobiles mandated by the Federal government. Tire and car manufacturer’s low safety standards were reported to have caused a large number of highway deaths through defects in their products. The ATLA has advised working on local, state and Federal levels to set legal regulations for car and tire manufacturers. These regulations would legally obligate manufacturers to ensure that their vehicle's will be designed to collapse strategically upon impact to ensure the safety of the passengers, that all vehicles would have functioning shoulder harnesses for all passengers and that car doors will remain closed in a crash at speeds of 35 MPH or less.

The ATLA also recommended that all vehicles are designed with heightened safety features like impact absorbing hydraulic bumpers, disc brakes on all four wheels and dual braking systems, whiplash preventing padded head supports and would elimination the use of X-frames, which can endanger passengers during impact. Also recommended for highway safety are vehicles that have headlights and taillights visible from the side and front, cornering lights which will shine in the direction that the car is turning and more vehicles manufactured with light, easy to see colors for more visibility.

Other factors that contribute to growing highway accidents are drunk driving and loose licensing procedures. The ATLA recommends harsher drunk driving laws and more stringent licensing regulations to prevent more fatal accidents.

This report shines a light of hope on the tragedy of the growing number of American highway vehicular deaths and injuries. If you or a loved one has been in a severe automobile accident contact a personal injury lawyer immediately to find out whether your case may be eligible for settlement or financial compensation. Whether this potential compensation is a settlement with the insurance company of the other driver involved in the accident or with the car or tire manufacturer for design or manufacturing defects, a professional attorney is the best person to assist you.