Recent Trends in Car Accidents in California
August 26, 2024
Being involved in a car accident can involve personal injury, property damage, and financial distress. However, with the tens of thousands of drivers on the road at any given moment in California, accidents are bound to happen.
Statistics have shown that the most dangerous driving conditions in California are in some of the most rural areas of the state. Counties such as Humboldt, Imperial, Mariposa, Trinity, Mono, Glenn, Modoc, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, and Plumas have the worst record of accidents on their roads.
And the cities in California can be equally dangerous for vehicle drivers. San Diego is infamous for its Interstate 5, with its treacherous area known as The Merge, where lanes are reduced, drivers hit the brakes, and congestion can be immense.
The 150-mile span of I-10 between Phoenix and the border of California is particularly frightening. Accidents here are usually attributed to high traffic volume, but there are also speeding and distracted driving accidents. This expanse of road is so dangerous the California Department of Transportation studies the cause of fatal accidents precisely from that location.
Los Angeles is also a perilous place to be a driver. Interstate 15 is often included in Popular Mechanics’ list of the 10 most dangerous roads.
Among the safest cities to drive in are San Rafael, Daly City, and Roseville.
Wherever you drive in California, be careful and follow the rules of the road. California has approximately 4,000 fatalities due to vehicle accidents each year, following only the state of Texas in the total number of deaths.
Statistics and Trends in Driving
Before we lay out current statistics and trends in driving in California, it’s important to be aware that the data usually lags by a year or more. It takes a long time for the various federal and state agencies that collect, collate and analyze the data to finalize these statistics and trends. There are many reputable sources of this information, including the California Highway Patrol, the California Office of Traffic Safety, the Institute of Highway Safety, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. State, regional and local news bureaus also conduct analyses of specific traffic issues. Overall, the numbers are fairly consistent.
Here are some important statistics and trends to be aware of:
- Each year, California has about 4,000 traffic-related fatalities, which represents 1.4 fatal accidents for every 100 million miles traveled. Only Texas has a larger number of fatalities. Though this is a large number, California does not rank in the top ten states with the highest car fatality rates per 100,000 miles traveled. The states of Wyoming and Mississippi have the distinction of being the top states for that traffic statistic.
- Total traffic fatalities increased from 2020 to 2021 in California by 8%.
- These fatalities run the gamut from driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving, occupants without seatbelts, teen drivers, motorcycle deaths, and other situations involving violating traffic laws.
- Pedestrian fatalities in California are about one-quarter of vehicle crash fatalities. Approximately 55% of fatalities are occupants of cars, including the driver. The remaining 20% of fatalities are motorcycles, bicycles, and heavy commercial trucks.
- Single-vehicle accidents, rather than multi-car highway crashes, represent just over half of fatal crashes.
- Despite efforts by legislatures, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and other organizations, of all fatally injured drivers in California accidents, 40% are found to have an elevated blood alcohol content. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (COTS), this represents an increase of 16 percent between 2020 and 2021.
- According to COTS, nearly 53% of those drivers killed in motor crashes in 2021 had legal and illegal drugs in their system.
- Motorcycle fatalities increased 3% from 549 in 2020 to 565 in 2021. Motorcyclist deaths from not wearing a helmet increased 9% from 34 in 2020 to 37 in 2021.
- Because of strict seatbelt laws, it is estimated that over 90% of Californians wear their seatbelts.
What To Do if You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident
Generally speaking, the most common cause of car accidents in California is driver negligence. Whether it’s distracted driving, such as texting and talking on your phone, speeding, failing to follow directional signs and warning signs, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or fatigue, most car accidents involve some degree of negligence on the part of the driver.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to contact a Santa Ana car accident attorney as soon as possible. Make sure that you’ve been to the doctor so that you’ll have a medical record of your injuries, which is necessary to provide evidence and serves as the basis for estimating your damages.
In California, to prevail on your case, you must prove:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care;
- The defendant breached that duty;
- The breach of the duty was the direct cause of your injuries;
- You suffered compensable damages.
If you’re found to have suffered a personal injury due to the negligence of another party, you may be able to obtain compensation as follows:
- Economic damages – These include your medical costs, rehabilitation costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury. You can also include any lost wages in this economic damages calculation.
- Non-economic damages – These damages are harder to calculate and include pain and suffering and infliction of emotional distress.
- Punitive damage – In particularly egregious cases, generally involving intentional harm and recklessness, your attorney may seek punitive damages on your behalf.
Contact a Santa Ana Car Accident Attorney
In California, the statute of limitations for vehicle accidents is two years in most cases. However, there are some exceptions, including if a minor is the plaintiff. To prepare a case for trial is time-consuming and requires expert witnesses, depositions, interrogatories, research, and many other tasks. So, it’s important not to delay in seeking the representation of a qualified attorney. For an experienced, knowledgeable, strategic Santa Ana car accident attorney, contact the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian today.