Car Accidents in Sacramento

What are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Sacramento and How Can You Stay Safe?

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, about 4,500 people were killed or injured in traffic accidents in 2015, the most recent year for which statistics are available. This represents a massive increase in the number of accidents and injuries in recent years. For example, in 2012, Sacramento had only 1,981 injuries or fatalities as a result of accidents. In only three years, the number of injuries and fatalities has more than doubled.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. At Wyatt Law Corp, we represent accident victims as they try to get back on their feet following a devastating crash. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Speeding

Over 1,000 injuries in Sacramento were speed related, by far the largest cause of fatal and injury collisions. In fact, the 1,179 speed-related injuries represent about a quarter of all injuries in Sacramento car crashes. Speeding is one of the easiest things to avoid, so it is unfortunate that it causes so many traffic accident injuries.

Speeding is only one form of aggressive driving. According to a study by AAA, about 80% of drivers in Sacramento and throughout California engage in aggressive driving at least once a year. Other forms of aggressive driving can contribute to car accidents, such as:

• Tailgating
• Swerving
• Passing on the right-hand side
• Passing without signaling
• Refusing to yield the right of way
• Running red lights
• Brake checking

Some aggressive drivers are in the grips of road rage, which impairs their ability to make reasonable decisions. Look for drivers who shout profanity at you or make obscene gestures. You should give these drivers a wide berth and not escalate the situation by making eye contact or engaging in inappropriate behavior yourself.

Alcohol

Unfortunately, 429 Sacramento car accident injuries were attributed to alcohol, which represents almost 10% of the total. Disturbingly, about 26 injuries were caused by drivers under the age of 21 who had been drinking, and another 145 involved someone aged 21-34 who had been drinking. In total, young drivers clearly have a problem with drinking and driving, which the city and state will need to address.

California law limits the amount of alcohol that can be in your blood. According to the California Vehicle Code Section 23152, drivers 21 and older cannot have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. If the driver is under 21, then they cannot have any alcohol in their blood. A BAC of 0.01 or higher qualifies a driving under the influence for drivers under 21.

It is very difficult to practice effective defensive driving and avoid accidents in Sacramento with intoxicated drivers. Nevertheless, you can minimize your risks of a crash by following these simple tips:

• Avoid driving on days when you can anticipate many revelers are on the road. These holidays include Super Bowl Sunday, the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and St. Patrick’s Day.
• Minimize the amount of late-night driving that you do. More people drink in the evening than during the day, so it stands to reason more drunk drivers are on the road at night.
• Keep a safe distance between yourself and other cars so that you have enough time to react.
• Drive slightly in the right-hand side of your lane. Drunk drivers often drift into other lanes, so by being further to the right you give yourself a little extra room.
• Report suspicious driving to the authorities so that they can investigate.
• Model responsible driving for your family by never getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks.

Distracted Driving

California does not keep statistics on distracted driving. Nevertheless, nationwide statistics confirm that distracted driving is a serious problem. According to government statistics, about 9 people are killed each day by distracted drivers. Another 1,000 suffer an injury in an accident caused by distracted drivers. In total, over 3,500 people were killed by distracted driving in 2015—an incredible number.

Distracted driving in Sacramento can take many forms, including:

• Texting
• Talking on the phone
• Eating
• Drinking
• Reaching for something
• Daydreaming
• Falling asleep
• Staring at the scenery
• Arguing with someone in the car
• Applying makeup

Drivers must always keep their eyes glued to the road, especially when traveling at high speeds. If you need to speak on the phone or eat something, remember to pull over to a rest stop or even onto the shoulder of the road so that you do not pose a risk to other drivers.

Malfunctioning Vehicles

Another potential cause of Sacramento accidents are defective vehicles. When a vehicle malfunctions, a driver can quickly lose control of it. Common causes include:

• Defective tires that blow out
• Malfunctioning steering systems that cause drivers to lose control
• Brakes that fail

Any of these defects can cause a car accident, leaving injured victims with devastating injuries. In these cases, the driver probably did nothing wrong. Instead, the vehicle itself is to blame for the accident.

To make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape, create a maintenance schedule and stick to it. You should also check the most recent car recalls at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. To check whether your vehicle has been subject to recall, you can search by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which you can find on your registration or on the vehicle itself (look on the dashboard). You can also subscribe to a notification system by providing your email.

Speak with a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer Today

Injured motorists and their families need compensation to pay for medical expenses, replace lost wages, and repair their vehicles. If someone else is responsible for the crash, then you can seek a settlement from their insurer.

At The Wyatt Law Corp Car Accident Attorneys, our team of talented car accident lawyers have been representing injured motorists like you for decades. Our client-centered approach has yielded impressive results for our clients. Fortunately, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. To start the processing of seeking full compensation for your injuries, contact us today for your free, no-strings consultation. There is never any cost to you until we win compensation.