Aside from the unusually quiet roads during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been an increase in auto accidents in Sacramento over the last decade or so. In 2010, there were 2,931 collisions reported, whereas there were 3,842 reported in 2021. This may not seem like anything to make a big deal about, but when you consider that car safety features and road safety awareness have increased in the last few decades, it’s quite a significant jump. Throughout this article, we take a look at nine important car accident statistics for Sacramento.
Number of Fatal Car Accidents in Sacramento
Although there are 2022 fatality data for all of California, the Sacramento City Data doesn’t yet include exact figures, but we can tell you that there were around 50 deaths in 2020. Considering the impact of lockdowns, it’s safe to say the figures for 2021 and 2022 will be much higher.
Out of all types of personal injury claims, compensation for auto accidents is the leading type of case Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys deal with in Sacramento. In 2022, car accidents caused devastation throughout the city and became the highest ever recorded. According to various sources, the number of fatalities in the entire state of California has passed the 3,900 mark. Additionally, these tragic accidents led to 277,000 injuries all within the same year.
These numbers are alarmingly high, and they’re largely caused by easily avoidable circumstances ranging from driving under the influence to reckless driving. To reduce Sacramento’s annual auto accident count, drivers must start following road safety protocols including maintaining vehicles, not drunk driving, and leaving plenty of stopping distance.
If you’ve been involved in one of the many car crashes on Sacramento’s roads, you can rely on our best car accident attorneys to investigate your incident and determine a fair rate of compensation, which we will go out and win.
Here are some common causes of auto accidents in Sacramento.
Drunk Driving
Sacramento has a real problem with drivers operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As well as obscuring judgment and slowing reaction speeds, drivers under the influence often lane hop erratically, speed, swerve, or fall asleep at the wheel. Not only is it illegal to drive in such a state, but injuries sustained in resulting car accidents can be truly devastating for all involved.
Being struck by a drunk driver is a traumatic experience because of the injuries, financial strain, and emotional distress. Our road traffic accident lawyers work tirelessly to ensure victims are rewarded a fair rate of compensation, which involves collecting evidence, speaking to insurance representatives, and taking cases to trial if need be.
Distracted Driving
There’s a lot more technology in 2023 including smartphones and intuitive dashboards, which means there are plenty of distractions diverting drivers’ attention. While the distracted drivers aren’t concentrating on the road – even for a split second – they can collide with traffic, run stop signs, and make other potentially catastrophic errors.
Speeding
Following the speed limit is another skill that many drivers in Sacramento don’t seem to have because it’s a leading cause of accidents in the city. Exceeding the speed limit makes it difficult to stop when approaching a hazard and often makes drivers lose control of their vehicles. The result is often a series of accidents that may prove to be fatal.
Weather Conditions
Sacramento is known for its rain and fog between November and March. During this time, wet road conditions have been known to cause accidents. Even though the weather can’t be helped, drivers must start driving with more care, leaving plenty of stopping distance, and using proper lights.
If you or a loved one was hit by a driver during adverse weather conditions, you’ve got good cause to claim compensation. At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, your vehicle accident lawyer will do everything in their power to prove liability and win your compensation.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a blanket statement covering all behaviors that put other road users in danger. These types of actions include running stop lines, driving into oncoming traffic, and weaving between lanes. Even though many of these accident causes can be classified as reckless driving, it has a class on its own because of how many drivers in Sacramento choose to act recklessly.
Injuries sustained from a reckless driving accident can vary from mild to fatal, which is why all drivers must take measures to drive according to the law and the American Highway Code. Here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we pride ourselves on standing up for our clients and winning cases, which is just one more reason why reckless drivers need to think twice.
Tailgating
Tailgating is when a driver is following another vehicle far too closely, and it’s one of the leading causes of Sacramento rear-end collisions. When there’s not enough stopping distance, drivers don’t have enough time to react to sudden changes in the road that lead the driver in front to brake.
The extent of these accidents depends on the speed of the tailgating car, but common injuries include whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma. If you’ve been rear-ended by a tailgating driver, your dedicated road accident attorney will prove liability and make sure your compensation covers any damages.
Vehicle Malfunctions
Some accidents are caused by vehicle malfunctions including tire blowouts and brake failure. Drivers have a duty of care to ensure their vehicles are fit for purpose, which means regular safety checks and repairs. If a driver is aware of an issue and chooses to operate the vehicle and they cause a crash, their insurance company will end up paying a significant amount in compensation.
Car accidents happen too often in Sacramento, but they’re 100% avoidable if drivers are willing to follow the law and show more care for other drivers. That being said, if you’ve been injured in a car accident in Sacramento, or the rest of California, don’t hesitate to contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys.
