Sacramento Car Accident Fatalities Increase

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. As the economy improved in the Sacramento area, auto accidents increased because more people were able to take to the roads. Government figures released for 2016 showed that in the Sacramento area, fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents increased to the highest rate in two decades.

Reasons for the Increase in Traffic Fatalities

Both the National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that a combination of factors is believed to have led to the increase in car accident fatalities. These include an improvement in the job market and economy, along with increased mileage and reckless driving behaviors.

Motor Vehicle Accident Fatalities Increasing Nationwide

According to the National Safety Council, Sacramento wasn’t alone in the high number of car accident fatalities. California itself recorded fatalities higher than the nation’s average with a 13-percent increase in 2016. This placed the state second behind Texas, which recorded 3,751 deaths due to auto accidents. Nationwide statistics show an increase in motor vehicle fatalities of 6 percent in 2016 over the previous year. In 2015, fatalities increased 14 percent since 2014.

Opinion Poll on Driver Safety

In January and early February 2017, the NSC conducted an opinion poll on behaviors and attitudes of drivers. The following areas were considered a concern by drivers:

Drunk drivers were the highest concern with 78 percent of the respondents.
Distracted driving came in second at 74 percent.
Drugged drivers were a concern with 67 percent.
Drivers who were aggressive were chosen as a risk factor by 65 percent.
Speeders were considered a risk factor by 59 percent.
Those exhibiting the characteristics of road rage were cited by 53 percent.
Fatigued drivers were chosen by 52 percent.

The remainder of concerns were weather conditions at 44 percent, teenage drivers at 41 percent, driverless vehicles at 36 percent and maintenance issues of roadways at 30 percent.

Personal Responsibility

The following responses to the poll indicated whether the respondents themselves had engaged in reckless behaviors in the past or had been involved in a car crash.

18 percent admitted they had been involved in a motor vehicle accident within the past three years.
11 percent of those who had been in crashes said that someone involved in the accident had required medical attention.
10 percent admitted that they had been drinking, and their ability to safely drive might have been compromised because of it.
48 percent said there were times when their driving might have been compromised due to crossing the centerline, feeling drowsy or finding themselves driving on the road’s shoulder.
47 percent admitted they almost struck another vehicle.
45 percent had been cited for drunk driving.
43 percent admitted to being involved in a car accident while impaired by alcohol.
41 percent were pulled over by authorities and submitted to a sobriety check.

Related Articles by Ed Smith, Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento ~

Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Whether an accident was caused by distracted driving, drunk driving or by other forms of negligent behavior, you may be entitled to fair compensation for you and your family members’ injuries. For friendly advice, which is free of charge, call (916) 921-6400 or my line that is toll-free at (800) 404-5400.

For over three decades as an injury lawyer, I have helped Sacramento residents and those of surrounding areas of Northern California to win the compensation they need and deserve for their personal injuries. I represent those with many types of personal injuries, including wrongful deaths when a loved one is lost or brain injuries that can devastate someone’s life.

As a trial attorney with Million Dollar Advocates, I have shown that I have garnered million dollar settlements or verdicts for prior clients.

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For a rundown of some of my law firm’s prior cases, visit Verdicts and Settlements.

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Sacramento Car Accident Fatalities Increase