We all know accidents happen. Barely a month goes by without someone you know or a friend of a friend being involved in one. It is not that the world is a crazy dangerous place. More often than not, people get hurt because someone makes a simple mistake.
There are many situations that can lead to you suffer from a personal injury – if you have been affected, see this personal injury lawyer. Some of which are sure to surprise you. Being aware of the circumstances that can lead to your getting hurt gives you a chance to avoid those situations.
Vehicle accidents
Unsurprisingly, top of the list is road traffic accidents and it is a global issue. According to the World Health Organization, every year, 1.35 million people lose their lives because they are involved in a road accident.
Sadly, it is not enough to simply drive carefully, although it helps. You only have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time to be involved in a serious car accident. But taking safety precautions like always wearing a seatbelt, driving a car with airbags and a good safety rating will help. You may still be involved in an accident, but if you take these precautions your chances of being hurt will be greatly reduced.
Slips and falls
Again, according to the World Health Organization, this is the second most common cause of serious injuries and deaths. Every year around 37 million people get hurt badly enough to have to seek medical help.
These accidents can happen anywhere. So, wherever you are, pay attention to where you are walking. Avoid slippery surfaces and be aware of uneven pavements. When there are kids around be conscious of the fact that they are likely to leave some of their toys lying around on the floor.
In your home, keep your flooring in a good state of repair. Make sure that any rugs you have are the non-slip kind. In the USA they carried out a study that revealed that every year around 37,000 elderly adults have accidents that involve rugs or carpeting. So, don’t underestimate the risk.
Work-related injuries
A surprisingly high percentage of injuries still occur in the workplace. It appears that despite increasingly strict health and safety regulations, employers are still not able to keep their workers completely safe. Being aware of this fact is the best way to guard against workplace accidents. It will help to keep you alert and encourage you to report your concerns to your boss promptly.
Given the fact that it is surprisingly easy to get hurt, it makes sense to put a little cash aside each week to use in case of an emergency. That way, if you are injured and need to be off work for a while you will have some funds to fall back on. This will tide you over until you can claim compensation or disability benefits.