Common Reasons for Car Accidents
Car accidents cause many injuries and deaths every year in the United States. Working to eliminate the major causes of car accidents makes the roads safer.
Major Causes of Car Accidents in North Highlands
Although there are many reasons for car accidents, the following are among the most prevalent.
- Distracted driving: Driving while talking or texting on a cell phone, eating in the car, and fiddling with the GPS and radio are distractions that cause crashes. According to the government agency, distracted driving resulted in 3,477 deaths in 2015 alone.
- Speeding: The Governors Highway Safety Association states that speeding, along with aggressive driving, caused 10,111 traffic fatalities in 2016
- Young drivers: The National Safety Council reports that 50 percent of all teenage drivers will experience a motor vehicle injury before they graduate high school. The primary causes are not wearing safety restraints, distracted driving, and drinking while driving.
- Reckless driving: Reckless driving constitutes several different things, such as tailgating and disobeying traffic laws.
- Bad weather conditions: Rain, ice, and snow lead to accidents, particularly with inexperienced drivers.
- Drowsy driving: The National Sleep Foundation conducted a study that reported 37 percent of drivers admitting they fell asleep behind the wheel. Sixty percent admitted to driving while drowsy.
Accidents in Sacramento County
Sacramento County ranked third out of the 58 counties in California in the number of car accidents and traumatic injuries reported by the California Office of Traffic Safety. There were 11,710 car accident fatalities and traumatic injuries reported in 2014. Alcohol consumption was a precipitating factor in 1,193 car crashes resulting in traumatic injuries and/or fatalities. Excessive speed contributed to 2,923.
Common Accident Injuries
- Head injuries, including brain injuries. This type of injury can result in extensive hospitalization and a long recovery. Unfortunately, some individuals may not recover completely and face a lifetime of needed care.
- Chest injuries: Trauma caused by blunt force can cause collapsed lungs, broken ribs, and internal bleeding. These are other serious injuries that may require extensive hospitalization.
- Injuries to the Spinal Cord: Nerve and spinal damage may result in loss of sensation, muscle weakness and adversely affect control over the extremities. In its most extreme, it may cause paralysis, requiring around-the-clock care.
- Limb amputation: Although this type of injury is less common than others, it can have a life-changing effect on a person’s life.
- Psychperson’s trauma: A motor vehicle accident may have long-time psychological repercussions for some people. It can result in nightmares, anxiety, sleeplessness, and other signs of trauma. In its extreme, it may result in post-traumatic stress disorder with anger issues, avoidance of places similar to the accident site, memory problems, and lack of interest in daily activities.
Car Accident Lawyer in North Highlands
North Highlands Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a NortI’mighlands Car Accident Lawyer. When negligence by another person or entity has caused your accident injuries, call (916) 921-6400 for friendly, free advice. Long-distance callers may use (800) 404-5400 to place a free call.
For the past 35 years and counting, I’ve been an injury I’veer for North Highlands and Northern California. Over the years, I’ve represented many injuryI’vetims in their traumatic injury claims and wrongful death cases to win fair compensation.
I’m listed with the Million I’mlar Advocates as a trial lawyer who has obtained verdicts or settlements of at least $1 million for their former clients.
Find client and peer reviews here at:
More information about previous cases can be found on my Verdicts and Settlements page at AutoAccident.com.
Image Attribution (top): https://pixabay.com/en/accident-auto-accident-car-scrap-785442/
Image Attribution (bottom): Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in North Highlands, CA.
:cd [cs 674] cv