Alcohol and Deadly Collisions in Nevada County
With just under 100,000 residents, Nevada County has a relatively low population, especially compared to nearby areas like Sacramento and Butte Counties. However, the area still sees its fair share of auto accidents, especially on dark, rural roads and highways. While there are a number of things that cause accidents in the area, one of the most dangerous accident factors is driving while intoxicated. Those who spend time on local roads should know these statistics about alcohol and deadly collisions in Nevada County.
Crash Overview
Data provided by researchers from UC Berkeley indicates that, during 2008-2020, there were 5,030 car accidents involving injuries reported throughout all of Nevada County. These crashes left 6,652 people injured and caused 152 fatalities. Out of these 5,030 accidents, 870 involved an intoxicated driver and 763 were primarily caused by DUI. This makes DUI the third most common collision cause in Nevada County behind speeding and dangerous turns.
Severity
Altogether, DUI accidents accounted for just under 15 percent of traumatic Nevada County crashes. In contrast, DUI accidents were the second-most common primary causal factor in fatal crashes and accounted for around 19 percent of accidents involving deadly injuries.
Furthermore, accidents in Nevada County had a fatality rate of about 2.8 percent, while collisions involving alcohol and/or drugs had a rate of 5.4 percent. This means that collisions involving an intoxicated driver were almost twice as likely to cost someone their life. Similarly, DUI crashes had a severe injury rate of around 18 percent, while accidents altogether had a rate of around 12 percent.
Dangerous Areas
These areas in Nevada County saw a particularly high number of alcohol-involved crashes during the last decade:
- Highway 49 at Hoyt’s Crossing
- The Junction of Highways 20 and 49 in Nevada City
- The Junction of Highways 20 and 49 in Grass Valley
- Highway 174 between Union Hill and Bear River Pines
- Rough and Ready Highway north of Highway 20
- Highway 49 near North San Juan
- Red Dog Road
Fatal Accidents and Liability
The effect that fatal accidents can have on families is tremendous. Often, people who’ve lost somebody in a car crash find themselves wondering how they will be able to continue living their lives without the love and support of the decedent. In particular, many families face tough financial hardships like lost income and services on top of medical bills and funeral costs.
To make sure that you and your family are fairly compensated for your economic and personal losses, be sure to reach out to a Nevada City wrongful death lawyer who can help you by giving you advice about filing a wrongful death claim. For many families, filing a wrongful death claim means having access to the funds they need during a crucial time.
Other Blogs from Ed Smith, Nevada City Wrongful Death Lawyer
Nevada City Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Nevada City wrongful death lawyer. To get my free, friendly advice on your wrongful case, please give me a call at my toll-free number, (800) 404-5400, or locally by dialing (530) 392-9400.
I have been practicing wrongful death law in the Nevada City area for 38 years and have helped many people obtain the settlements and verdicts that they deserve for wrongful death damages. To learn about my work, take a minute to review some of the outstanding reviews I’ve gained on these sites:
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