Highway 99 Sees Drastic Increase in Accidents
According to a report released by the Chico California Highway Patrol (CHP), there has been a dramatic increase in the number of accidents on Highway 99 over the last year. The report, released on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, said that, since November 2017, the highway has seen a 37 percent increase in auto accidents. Officers say that they suspect an influx of population after Paradise residents lost their homes in the Camp Fire may be a contributing factor in the dramatic increase of highway crashes. Reportedly, CHP is working with Cal Trans to improve safety on the freeway.
Collision Data
CHP’s data shows that between November 8, 2017, and February 20, 2018, there were 89 accidents on Highway 99. Out of these 89 crashes, 29 involved one or more injuries. In the next year, between November 2018 and February 2019, there were 118 car accidents, 47 of which involved an injury. CHP Officer Joe Ortiz told reporters that many of these accidents are caused by vehicles approaching stopped traffic and “not giving themselves enough space” to stop their vehicle safely.
Ortiz also said that part of the problem is that the highway only has two lanes. He stated that a two-lane highway is not enough to handle the increased number of vehicles on the road. One Chico resident told reporters that he’s seen more traffic on the road this year than he has during 15 years of using the route to commute to Oroville for work. The man noted that the highway traffic also affects traffic on side streets in Chico such as Esplanade, Mangrove Street, and others.
Improving Safety
Ortiz suggested that one of the solutions being considered is to meter the traffic entering the highway. Cal Trans spokesperson, Gilbert Mohtes-Chan, stated that there have been several safety projects completed in the area in past years including rumble strips to help alert drivers who drift out of their lane. However, Mohtes-Chan reported that there are no current projects underway.
Mohtes-Chan stated that CHP will be helping Cal-Trans plan safety projects in the near future. The two agencies will work together and use available statistics to find out what locations have seen the most accidents and why those crashes tend to happen. After looking at the data, Mohtes-Chan says that Cal Trans will “see what (they) can do.”
Recovering From Accidents
The recovery process after being involved in a car accident can be difficult. Many people are left with injuries that require expensive medical procedures as well as physical therapy. Additionally, being injured can make it hard or even impossible to continue working, and many people need to either take time off work or quit their jobs. Because these issues can cause serious financial problems, car accident survivors are able to seek payment for their damages by filing a personal injury claim. The types of payments available in personal injury cases can vary, and it is always best to get advice from a Chico personal injury lawyer so that you can learn about the legal options that are available to you.
More Articles from Ed Smith, Chico Injury Lawyer
Personal Injury Attorney in Chico
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico personal injury lawyer. Being injured during a crash can change your life. If you were in a traumatic accident, call me for free, friendly advice. I can be reached at (800) 404-5400 and (530) 392-9400.
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