Common Fatal Accident Factors
I’m Ed Smith, a Foothill Farms wrongful death lawyer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an average of around 32,000 individuals die in U.S. auto accidents every year. Data indicates that California car accidents account for around 3,000 of those fatalities.
There are a few factors that are frequently associated with fatal car accidents. Knowing them can help motorists to take action in order to lower their risk of being involved in a car crash fatality.
Speeding
Across the state, as well as in the greater Sacramento area, driving at unsafe speeds is a leading factor in fatal car accidents. Research conducted by the University of California at Berkeley indicates that, from 2010-2016, speeding violations were a primary factor in 115 fatal collisions that occurred in Sacramento County.
Speeding is a pervasive issue and notoriously difficult to prevent. Sometimes drivers are often rushed to arrive somewhere, others are convinced that they can safely operate their vehicles above the speed limit, and others are simply driving recklessly. However, regardless of why a driver speeds, doing so comes with several hazardous consequences.
One dangerous consequence is that speeding drivers make themselves difficult to predict. Most drivers don’t expect vehicles traveling well over the speed limit and are often surprised by speeding drivers, which can lead to accidents that are otherwise easy to avoid. Other dangerous speeding consequences include reduced vehicle control, reduced reaction time, and increased collision severity.
DUI
Another troubling and common cause of fatality accidents is driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcoholic drinks. DUI is also a leading cause of fatal car accidents in the U.S. in addition to being the most common primary factor in fatal car crashes in Sacramento County. Sadly, data shows that drivers under the influence of intoxicants have been responsible for 174 fatal crashes in Sacramento County over the last 7 years.
The dangerous effects of DUI driving are well documented and very serious. Drunk drivers are proven to be less capable of handling their vehicles, slower to react to dangerous roadway conditions, and less able to notice obstacles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that these effects contribute to around 10,000 (almost a full third) of fatal injury collisions in the U.S. every year.
Distraction
Another common fatal accident factor is driver distraction. Although driver distraction is difficult to document, the California Office Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that nearly 40 percent of drivers admit that they have made a driving mistake while using a mobile device. Additionally, OTS estimates that 10 percent of drivers under the age of 20 who are involved in fatal accidents are reported to have been using their phones at the time of the collision.
More From Foothill Farms Wrongful Death Lawyer, Ed Smith
Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer in Foothill Farms
I’m Ed Smith, a Foothill Farms wrongful death lawyer. If you’ve lost someone you love in an accident, you may be able to claim recompense for your damages. Call me at (916) 921-6400 for friendly advice in a free phone consultation. You can also get in touch with me using (800) 404-5400 or AutoAccident.com.
Since 1982, I’ve helped families and individuals in Foothill Farms with receiving just repayment for claims that involve wrongful death and personal injury.
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