6 of the Worst Car Accidents in Recent U.S. History

I suffer from dystychiphobia, the fear of accidents. It's pretty intense. FIve years ago, while staying in Arizona one Spring, I witnessed a horrifying accident that to this day keeps me up at night. Still, I can't help reading and being slightly obsessed with accident reports. Here are six recent-ish ones that are pretty awful.
1. May 14, 1988
The worst bus accident in American history occurred on the way home from a church trip to an amusement park. First Assembly of God Church in Radcliffe, KY sponsored a youth trip to King’s Island amusement park on a former school bus that then served as a church activity bus. Outside of Carrollton, KY, at 11PM, a black Toyota pick-up truck, driven by an intoxicated Larry Wayne Mahoney, struck the bus nearly head on. Mahoney had been driving in the wrong direction on I-71. The crash disabled the front door of the bus and ruptured the gas tank. Within minutes, the bus was completely engulfed in flames. Of the 66 passengers, 27 died on the bus, 34 were injured—most severely. Mahony was sentenced to 16 years in jail. Two of the mothers of crash victims, Karolyn Nunnallee and Janey Fair, became President and Vice President, respectively, of the National MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) Association. It was determined that the lack of emergency exits, fragility of the gas tank, flammability of the seats and a cooler that was blocking the only functioning exit, all contributed to the high fatality rate.
2. December 11, 1990
Just after 9AM, on a stretch of I-75 in Tennessee, dense fog blanketed the highway and led to a 70-car pile-up. There had been warning signs posted but conditions deteriorated too quickly for them to help motorists. The wreckage stretched for a half mile and caused 13 fatalities. The car fires added to the chaos and 33 different fire companies responded to the call. Survivors say that it sounded like endless bombs and gunshots going off as one car after another plowed into the mess. Tennessee has since installed an improved fog warning system with fog sensors that can change the read out on highway signs to alert motorists and also close on-ramps to prevent pile-ups. Reflective markers and flashing lights were also installed to help guide cars stuck in fog.

3. November 29, 1991
As traffic increased with travelers returning home after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, winds along I-5 in California reached 40 miles an hour. The usually lush farmlands had been left unplanted due to a severe drought. The wind whipped up a fierce dust storm that seriously cut visibility. This all led to a pile up of 104 vehicles, including four tractor trailers, along a one mile stretch of highway. After hours of rescue efforts in the continuing dust storm, 17 people had died and 150 were seriously injured. The pileup led to thousands more being trapped in their cars for another day while road crews cleared the wreckage and worked to re-open the highway.
4. July 4, 1998
Virgina’s I-81 is known as a treacherous road that has seen more than its share of accidents. But nothing compares to the horrific accident on July 4th. Kevin Chittum, his fiancée, Whitney Rogers, his 13 year old sister, 11 year old niece, and two of his niece’s friends piled into a car to head to the county fair. The couple’s three year old daughter, Rebecca, pleaded to be included, but there was no room. The group pulled away with promises of returning with a candy apple for the crying Rebecca. The parents stopped twice to call and check on the upset toddler. Then as a storm moved into the area, Chittum’s car hit a bump in the road, hydroplaned, sailed across the
median, crashing head on with a tractor-trailer. All passengers in the car, as well as the truck driver, Jerry Douglas Gregory, were killed.
5. February 22, 2000
Despite balmy conditions in Virginia the previous two days, on February 22 the temperature plummeted to just 27 degrees. A snowstorm moved in and created white out conditions on I-95, dropping over an inch of snow in just minutes. The worst pile-up in Virginia history followed involving 117 cars. The terrible accident left 1 person dead and 31 more injured. It also led to a massive cleanup and rescue effort by fire fighters, rescue workers, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the state police. Amazingly, they were able to rescue the victims, clear the wreckage, and reopen the vital highway in just 12 hours.

6. January 19, 2009
Ice and snow conditions caused at least 20 automobile accidents in one night in Washington County, Maryland. The worst of these was a pile-up involving 7 tractor trailers and 35 cars. The accident claimed 2 people’s lives and injured 35 more, 12 of those were seriously injured. The Red Cross stepped in and took 45 people to one of their shelters until road conditions improved. The incident was blamed on snowy, icy roads.

Car Accidents Pictures

I found for you some Traffic accidents pictures on the net. You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.

A lot of traffic accidents in one time

A lot of traffic accidents in one time 2


The first picture (left up) is a truck which turn right and pushed the other car.
The second picture (right up) is a truck which enter into the small car.
the third picture (down) you will see later (bigger one).

Here is the picture from the picture above, just bigger.
You can see here a terrible traffic accident, the truck ran over 2 cars, and crashed them.


You can see a car which crashed after traffic accident

The truck collide with a traffic sign

Small car go into a big truck

That all for today, I'll add more pictures later. I hope those pictures scare you, and now you will drive better and pay attention to the small and the big things when you driving. If everyone will drive better and without distracts I'm sure that the world will be safer and without traffic accidents at all.

What to do after a car accident that's not your fault

Dealing with your car insurance company after a car crash can be a time-consuming hassle. Now imagine what it's like to deal with the insurance company of the person who crashed into your car. Here are some tips to ensure you maintain your cool — and your sanity — when making a claim with an at-fault person's insurer.
 The driver that crashes into your car is responsible for reporting the accident to his or her car insurance company. However, it's a good idea for you to contact their insurer as well. Motorists who cause accidents are often reluctant to report them. So, it is important to obtain the most complete information from the at-fault person at the scene of the accident: insurance company name, claims phone number, address and even the insurance agent's name.
You should then inform the other person's insurer that you have been involved in a crash with one of its policyholders and disclose your property damages or injuries. Also, relay only the facts of the accident, even if you believe the other driver to be at fault. The police will ultimately determine who is at fault and the insurer will make its determination of fault based on the police recommendation, your commentary notwithstanding.
Although you may feel that you have not caused the accident, you should contact your insurance company anyway. This establishes your good-faith accident-reporting effort and can aid you if the other party's insurer denies responsibility for the accident.

Theory vs. reality

Theoretically, you should only have to notify the other party's insurer of your damages and injuries, take your car to a body shop, visit a doctor and expect the insurer to pay your bills.
But theories don't always reflect reality. Car insurance companies may demand that you obtain their authorization before proceeding with vehicle repairs and injury treatments. If the insurance adjuster doesn't authorize a repair before you take it to the auto shop, it can create a problem. At minimum, make certain that the insurance company has accepted liability before going ahead with repairs. Get that authorization in writing. Ask the insurer to e-mail or fax it to you.
If the insurer's claims adjuster resists paying for certain car repairs or injuries because they were not authorized, remind him that seeking approval on every repair technique and treatment can cause unnecessary delays, which increase the cost of your claim in the form of vehicle-storage charges and more legwork for the adjuster.
In addition, the at-fault driver's insurance company can't force you to take your vehicle to a specific repair facility. Most states allow auto insurers to recommend auto body shops but they aren't allowed to demand you use a certain repair facility. The choice is yours.

Pick your battles

The at-fault driver's insurer may tell you to seek payment from your own insurer because it has no evidence of its policyholder's fault. That's another reason why you should notify your insurer immediately after the crash. Although most states have made it illegal for an insurer to deny claims without reasonably investigating the facts, or to deny claims when its liability is reasonably clear, you may not want to fight the other person's insurance company.
If you decide to fight the at-fault driver's insurer, you'll need a lawyer — especially if you've been seriously injured . An attorney can help you navigate the sometimes-murky laws that govern insurance. But keep in mind that if you hire an attorney, he will take a cut of any settlement he helps you get.

When the other driver lies

You may have evidence of the other driver's fault — maybe he even admitted it at the scene — yet you find your claim denied by his auto insurance company. Why? Because he probably told a version of how the accident happened that doesn't square with yours. His insurer may stand behind that story in order to avoid paying your claim.
Sometimes the insurance company will take  its policyholder's position, even if it contradicts the police report.
It is common for companies to take their policyholder's side in cases where no police accident report was made. In many states, if an officer at an accident scene determines the damage is minimal (usually less than $500), he or she will not make an accident report. Body shop estimates for that same accident, however, might run into the thousands of dollars. Take your car to a repair shop so you can determine the extent of the damage.
Don't forget to write down the other driver's address and policy information, along with statements and contact information from witnesses. This way, you'll have evidence gathered at the scene to bolster your position on the cause of the accident.
Also, when speaking with the at-fault person's insurer, ask it to demonstrate how the accident could have happened as the other driver said. If it's a small claim and you have the time, you can take the other driver to small claims court. Otherwise, you may need a lawyer. Insurance companies know that unless you've hired an attorney, they can tell you 'no,' or say they'll get back to you. The longer the matter drags on, the more likely you are to compromise or simply go away.

Another option: Your own insurer

Even if you're not at fault, you can make a claim with your insurance company for payment of damages and injuries.
If you have collision insurance, file a claim with your own carrier. The company may be more responsive and help you document the claim. Sometimes, your company will pursue the claim. If it takes this approach, often all you will be out in the short term is your deductible. You may get that money back when you settle with the other driver's insurer.
An insurer also might allow you to make your claim under your uninsured motorist coverage, although in most states UM coverage will pay only for bodily injuries — unless you also have uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage. Your collision coverage could also pay for damages to your car.
Your car insurance rates aren't necessarily going to increase at renewal time if you make a claim under your own insurance policy for an accident that wasn't your fault. Most state laws prohibit insurers from surcharging policyholders or raising their premium rates for accidents in which they weren't at fault. However, those laws do not preclude your insurer from dumping your policy at renewal time if you've made a couple of recent claims. If you drive in a high-risk area and are subject to being hit, even if you are not at fault, your insurer might find you too high a risk to insure.

Different rules by state

 

There are some states that require you to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) and have slightly different rules for collecting for your damages and injuries after an accident. For example, your PIP coverage pays for your medical expenses and lost wages, even if you are not to blame for the crash. Receiving your PIP benefits requires you to contact your own insurance company about the accident and to make a claim under your own insurance policy. You'll have to pay a deductible if you make a claim under your PIP coverage.
This is mostly the situation in "no fault" states — although the law differs in each one. Some no-fault states give you the option of contacting the at-fault driver's insurer to recover property-damage payments and medical expenses not paid by your PIP. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 12 states and Puerto Rico have "no-fault" insurance laws: Florida, Michigan, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah. If you live in one of these states, check with your insurance agent, or your state insurance department, for the best way to handle third-party accident claims.

Reasonable rental cars

Insurance companies are always looking for ways to shave a few dollars from the cost of a claim, and reimbursements for rental-car costs often are the first to meet the blade. Insurance companies often tell accident victims that they pay only a certain amount per day for rental cars. As a victim of another person's negligence, you have the right to recoup the costs associated with fixing the disruption you experience, including all of the costs of renting a vehicle while your own vehicle is unusable.
To avoid having to pay for part of a rental, rent reasonably. Obtain a rental vehicle that is similar to your own and return it promptly when your own vehicle has been fully repaired. Rent a vehicle only if your own is not safe to drive or requires extensive time in the shop. And don't purchase a collision damage waiver from the rental company if your own insurance policy covers damages to rental cars.
If you rent reasonably and the insurer insists on cutting the amount of its reimbursement, ask the insurer to put its reason in writing. Insurers must inform you in writing of their decisions to deny or reduce payments.

Know what you deserve

Knowing your state's prompt-payment law is beneficial. Every state's unfair claims settlement practices act outlines the time frame in which an insurer must issue you a check for your damages.
Laws vary widely from state to state, with many simply mandating a "prompt" payment of claims, while others specify a number of days and the interest owed to you if the insurer fails to pay within the specified period. One last factor to keep in mind: Unfair claims settlement practices acts often do not extend the same rights to you if you're making a claim against another driver's insurance as opposed to making a claim under your own insurance policy.
Writing a matter-of-fact letter to the at-fault person's insurance company is a smart way to inform it of your expectations and rights. Telling the insurer that you expect it to pay all reasonable costs you incur as a result of the accident, including payment for repairs to or the total-loss value of your vehicle, diminished value of your car, medical expenses, lost wages, and rental-car costs will help smooth the claims process

Are safer cars cheaper to insure?

Question: Are car insurance rates better for autos that have high safety crash-test ratings? Will owning such a car cause my premium to go down?
Answer: Safety ratings by themselves won't cut your car insurance rates. Crash-test results by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are only one component considered by car insurance companies.
Ultimately what you pay depends on how likely your car insurance company thinks you are to file a claim. Some of that is calculated by looking at your driving record and demographics such as age and sex. They consider how much your car will cost to repair and how much damage it typically does to other cars and to the people in them.
Great crash-test ratings may be an indicator that a car will have fewer medical payments claims -- but the lower rate will be based on real-world data collected long after the tests are done.

Safer is better, but ...

Safety features can help lower your rates.  Typically, discounts are given for items such as anti-lock brakes and airbags. But it is the proven life-saving record of those features that brings the discount, not their mere presence.
That's why discounts for newer auto safety technology are slow in arriving. Every credible expert agrees that electronic stability control has saved lives, and the systems have been mandatory since 2012. But discounts for it are hard to find. And you won't find many insurers giving discounts yet for crash-avoidance features, such as a lane-departure warning system.
Hand in hand with this is the crashworthiness of a vehicle.  If vehicles with new safety features are receiving better crash ratings and performing better in real-world accidents, then more discounts may come about for new tech and car insurance rates for certain vehicle make and models may come down.
The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) provides information on insurance losses by make and model.  Your vehicle may do well in the crash tests, but then have a higher number of insurance losses than other cars in its category, thus making it cost more to insure.
For instance, the Toyota Corolla shows up as an IIHS Top Safety Pick, but the HLDI shows that it has substantially worse than average insurance claims for  personal injury and medical payments.  This means that car insurance companies are likely to charge more for these areas of coverage with this vehicle knowing that there is a higher likelihood of claims.

Drivers matter more than cars

A safe vehicle is only part of the car insurance equation.
For example, your very safe car is high on the list of stolen cars in your area.  If this is the case, your collision and medical payments premiums may receive a discount due to the safety features and crash ratings, but then your comprehensive could be more due your vehicle’s theft rates.
The driver typically makes a bigger difference than the car does. Age, gender, driving record and driving experience are considered, along with non-driving factors such as location, credit (if your state permits it), claims history and even occupation.
I believe when deciding on what car to buy it's smart to examine items such as crash tests results, reliability and gas mileage (factors we looked into when choosing the best cars for teen drivers). These things can help you narrow down what model vehicle you’re interested in purchasing.  Once you have your short list, then it’s time to compare car insurance rates.
Comparison shopping is easy to do.  With online quote forms you can obtain multiple car insurance rate quotes on one vehicle and then can go back and change the vehicle out to see how that changes your rate.  This way you know that you’re comparing the same coverages each time.
Comparing quotes will allow you to find out if the car you like the most is still affordable to you once you add in the insurance premium to its total cost of ownership.