How Berkeley Ranks
California certainly has the highest population in the country along with the most drivers, however, Berkeley residents may be surprised that California also ranks for having some problem drivers. A recent study released by QuoteWizard compiled the list from among the 75 cities with the highest populations based on tickets for speeding, number of accidents, DUIs and the number of citations issued.
How Berkeley Ranks
According to injury and death statistics from 2014 supplied by the California Office of Traffic Safety, Berkeley ranked 10th among 57 California counties with 741 victims who were injured or killed that year in traffic accidents. It also ranked first with 98 pedestrian deaths and injuries caused by accidents in California. Berkeley ranked first a second time among California counties, with 160 bicyclist injuries and deaths due to accidents.
Alameda County High Rates of Accidents
Alameda County had 9,039 injuries and deaths due to accidents. It ranked among the highest counties for the number of injuries and deaths to pedestrians and bicyclists. Alameda County ranked as the most dangerous county in California for injuries and deaths of pedestrians over the age of 65 and ranked fifth for the number of injuries and deaths to bicyclists. On the number of hit-and-run accidents, Alameda County again ranked first, with 876 injuries and fatalities.
How California Ranked
A number of California cities ranked prominently on the list for the high number of citations, DUIs, accidents, and other criteria. Sacramento came in at number one in the nation, Riverside was number three and San Diego number five. Completing the list were Los Angeles at number six, Bakersfield at number 10, the Bay Area at 13 and Fresno at 15.
How Did These California Cities Make the List?
Sacramento took the number one spot due to the number of citations issued. However, it wasn’t too far down the list in the number of DUIs and accidents. Riverside showed the third-highest number of DUIs. It isn’t surprising that Los Angeles, with its significant traffic congestion, ranks high on the list. Road rage accidents, accidents in general and DUI rates in Los Angeles earned it a spot on the report.
Driver Responsibility
Drivers have the responsibility to operate a vehicle in the way a reasonably prudent person would in order to maintain safety for other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When they fail to do that, they breach their duty of care, laying the groundwork for injury to others. If the injury is due to this lack of care, the driver may be considered negligent and held liable for the financial loss that results from such injuries.
Berkeley Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Berkeley car accident lawyer. While most Californians try to drive with a duty of care, there are drivers who travel the roads and cause injuries because of their negligent actions. If you or a member of your family have suffered injuries because of a negligent driver, call me at (510) 631-0200 for my friendly and free advice. You can also call for free at (800) 404-5400.
I am the owner/founder of autoaccident.com and have worked for 35 years defending the rights of the injured and family member left behind with their traumatic injury and/or wrongful death claims.
Reviews and ratings by former clients and my peers are on Yelp, Avvo, and Google, while Verdicts and Settlements page offers a list of some of the people I have helped as an injury lawyer and the results of their cases.
Last but not least, I am a California lawyer who belongs to the Million Dollar Advocates. This is a group compiled of lawyers nationwide who have won fair settlements or fair verdicts of a minimum of $1 million for their injured or bereaved clients.
Photo Attribution: crossing-801713_1280.jpg
:cd bw cv