California Drivers Ranked Third Worst in the US
California drivers have once again ranked number three as the worst in the country, according to a 2019 report released by SmartAsset. In some areas, California is proud to be number one, but this isn’t one of them. California drivers ranked number three in 2018, which was a significant increase over 2017 when it came in at the number eight spot. This year, Mississippi and Alabama had the dubious honor of taking the number one and two spots respectively as having the worst drivers. In 2018, the top spots were taken by Mississippi and Tennessee.
How the Scores Were Tallied
Four metrics were used by SmartAsset in tallying the scores to find the worst drivers in the country. First was the number of drivers who had insurance. The second was the number of arrests made of those who were driving under the influence of every 1,000 motorists. The third category was the number of traffic fatalities for every 100,000 miles driven by a vehicle. The final category was computer-related statistics on how many people in a particular state looked for words on the internet, such as “speeding ticket” or “traffic ticket.”
Uninsured Drivers
California drivers carry motor vehicle insurance at a rate of 84.80 percent. Of course, this means that 15.20 percent of drivers are uninsured. The amount of insurance a motorist carries can also be a problem if someone is injured by a negligent motorist. Californians are required to carry a minimum of $15,000 coverage for a person and $30,000 per incident. With medical costs so high these days, that often isn’t enough to pay for hospitalization or medical treatment, especially if there are serious injuries.
How This Can Be Remedied
There is one way to protect yourself. Carrying an additional policy for at least $100,000/$300,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is essential because of the high rate of California drivers without insurance. In this way, your own insurance company will kick in if you are injured in an accident.
Traffic Tickets and Speeding
Traffic infractions are a major cause of all varieties of motor vehicle accidents in Sacramento as well as the rest of the state. California drivers were sixth in the number of traffic tickets and speeding infractions. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2016, which is the latest year for statistics, 489 people were killed or injured due to traffic collisions. The number of accidents related to speeding totaled 1,355. Arrests for drunk driving totaled 965. However, this represents a small percentage of those who were under the influence and not caught. Other forms of traffic infractions include:
- Distracted driving such as texting, eating in the car or talking to passengers
- Fatigued driving from doing shift work or staying up too late the night before
- Driving under the influence of drugs, whether illicit or legal medications
- Reckless driving such as tailgating, speeding or running a red light
- Failure to yield the right of way, which can endanger other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists
Traffic Fatalities
The National Safety Council reports that around 40,000 people lost their lives on America’s roads in 2018. This was a small decline over the previous year. The reason for the decline may be due to increased use of seat belts, fewer younger motorists on the road, and improvements in child restraints.
Traffic Fatalities Rising in California
In 2018, there were 3,651 fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes in California. This represents an increase over the previous year, where 3,564 were reported. A large number of deaths are due to driver error, which can result in wrongful death. In those cases, the family, with the help of an experienced lawyer, can recover financial compensation for the loss of their loved one.
Watch YouTube Video: California’s is 3rd-Worst Driving State. This short news clip from ABC10 below explains why California drivers are some of the worst in the country.
Causes of an Accident May Be More Complex
When an accident occurs, authorities begin an investigation right away to determine how it happened and to assign fault. However, sometimes, those reports contain errors. Other factors that can be to blame for an accident injury include roadway defects such as an uneven road edge or pothole, inadequate lighting, and safety features that are defective. Other causes of an accident may consist of being struck by a hit-and-run driver or a defective auto product such as the steering wheel or accelerator.
The Need for Quick Action Following an Accident Injury
These are a few of the reasons why it’s important to contact an experienced lawyer right away if you have suffered an accident injury or lost a loved one through negligence. An attorney can conduct his or her own investigation. This can include using accident reconstruction, expert witnesses, and checking local homes and businesses for additional eyewitnesses or video footage. Because evidence can be destroyed, lost, or covered up quickly, it is crucial to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Taking advantage of a free consultation will allow you to have your questions answered and determine whether or not you have a case.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Being injured by a negligent motorist can mean facing lost wages, medical bills, and other costs. This can place your family in a precarious financial position. For my free and friendly advice, phone me at (916) 921-6400 in the Sacramento area. My toll-free number is (800) 404-5400, or you can contact me online.
I am a proud member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. This organization invites less than 1 percent of the nation’s lawyers to join. It recognizes those who uphold the highest standards of excellence in their legal practices. Also, I am a member of the Million Dollar Forum. It is open only to trial attorneys who have won more than $1 million for a client.
During the 37 years that I have been in practice as a personal injury lawyer, I’ve helped many people get fair compensation for their injuries. This has been in all types of motor vehicle accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic injuries as well as other areas.
To find out more information about my law practice, please visit the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-traffic-man-hurry-1149997/
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