Posted on Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 at 1:53 am
Each year, millions of people are involved in car accidents in the United States. According to the NHTSA, 37,461 people died, and over 3.1 million people were injured in traffic accidents in 2016. In California during 2016, the OTS reports that deaths from traffic accidents increased by seven percent from 3,387 in 2015 to 3,623 in 2016. In addition, thousands of people were injured in California traffic accidents that year.
Our Sacramento car accident attorneys assist victims as they seek compensation for their injuries and damages. If you are interested in learning more about filing a personal injury accident claim, contact us for a free consultation.
Five Sacramento Car Accident Facts
- Sacramento drivers are the worst drivers in the country.
According to QuoteWizard, a company that compares insurance rates for consumers, Sacramento tops the list of the 75 cities that have the worst drivers in the United States. Based on the information reviewed by the company, Sacramento drivers had the most traffic citations in the country. In addition, California had four other cities in the top 10 list of the worst drivers in America — Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Bakersfield. Therefore, California drivers in these five cities comprised 50 percent of the worst drivers in America according to QuoteWizard.
- Motorcycle accidents cause traumatic injuries.
Motorcyclists have no protection in a collision. Even though a motorcyclist might wear a helmet, boots, gloves, goggles, and other protective gear, there is nothing to absorb the impact of the collision. Therefore, motorcyclists can suffer traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries that result in life-threatening conditions or injuries that alter their lives considerably.
- Safety features can save lives.
Even though laws exist that require passengers to wear seat belts or motorcyclists to wear helmets, some people do not obey the law. However, if everyone obeyed these laws, many lives could be saved. In 2016, seat belts saved an estimated 14,668 lives while motorcycle helmets saved 1,859 lives that year. Airbags in cars also saved an estimated 2,756 lives in 2016. Therefore, drivers and passengers should utilize all safety features to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a traffic accident.
- DUI Accidents are preventable.
The lives lost because of DUI accidents are preventable. No one has to die in DUI accidents if every driver would be responsible. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol in any amount is dangerous. In California, as in other states, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or above. However, even a lower BAC can impair a driver’s abilities and increase a drunk driving accident.
- Traffic accidents can be very expensive.
The CDC reports that the economic losses in terms of medical expenses and productivity losses totaled $63 million during 2015. In California, $4.48 billion was lost in one year because of traffic crashes. Even a minor traffic accident can result in several thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and property damages. If a person requires surgery, the value of the claim could be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Call a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney for Help
If you have been injured in a traffic accident in Sacramento, the Tiemann Law Firm personal injury attorneys can help. Call our office now for your free consultation with a Sacramento car accident attorney. You can reach The Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website.
