Tag Archives: car accidents

California Bay Area Distracted Driving Statistics 2021

30 September
2022

Across California, traffic accidents have been steadily increasing. California, including the San Francisco Bay Area, has now suffered two consecutive years of unfortunate dramatic increases in traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Sadly, there has also been a nationwide increase in distracted driving traffic accidents and deaths. California has also witnessed a spike in driving and resulting crashes caused by drivers under the influence of either illegal or legal drugs, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and also included in California legal code VEH statute 23123.5. Below is an overview and statistics of distracted driving in California, including the Bay Area. The following outline comprises different forms of distracted driving, measures to address the issues, the traffic fatality crisis, and what to do after an accident involving a distracted driver, including why to seek the guidance of a seasoned Bay Area car accident attorney.

What is distracted driving and what forms can it take?

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving. Such actions include but are not limited to texting or talking on smartphones, eating and drinking, conversing with passengers, fiddling with music, entertainment, or navigation systems — and anything that diverts your attention from driving safely.

California had the most deaths due to distracted driving of any state, according to NHTSA’s 2018 report. Unfortunately, the issue has remained a substantial concern. 74.3% of Californians cited distracted driving as the most significant safety threat on California’s roads in a 2021 OTS survey. Electronics use while driving is the main culprit in California’s distracted driving crisis. Distracted driving derived from electronic use jumped 2.2% from one year to the next, as reported by the 2017 CA Statewide Observational Survey of Cell Phone & Texting Use by Drivers released by the OTS. 59.6% of California drivers participating in the California Traffic Safety Survey reported being hit or narrowly missed by a driver talking or texting. Direct hits or near misses can trigger multi-vehicle accidents, pedestrian traffic fatalities, and driver and passenger severe injuries and death. There were 3,179 deaths and 431,000 injuries caused by distracted driving back in 2014, as reported by Distracted.gov. More recently, the California Highway Patrol issued over 55,850 citations for distracted driving, including 56 distracted drivers who passed away in fatal crashes and over 6,300 severe injuries in 2021. The Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) found more than 13,000 accidents caused by driver inattention (associated with distracted driving) in 2021.

Impaired Driving Leads to Distraction and Chaos

50% of all California drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes who were tested, tested positive for legal and or illegal drugs, an increase of 8% from 2018. In 2019, California’s total alcohol-impaired driving fatalities came at the cost of 949 individuals. Data released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety California had 3,847 motor vehicle crash deaths in 2020 — the second highest nationwide. The report also included numbers related to alcohol-impaired driving. Out of 1,550 drivers killed in 2020, 880, or 57%, had their BAC taken, implying a likelihood of drinking and driving. The actual numbers for individuals with a BAC over 0.08 were not available for California.

Negligent Drivers Beware

When found liable for a car accident rooted in negligence, the driver and their insurance company will feel the costs for driving distracted or impaired by drugs or alcohol. Insurance premiums will rise. The driver, in addition to potential summons and fines, could lose their license and potentially face even more significant consequences as well as lawsuits if another individual involved in the accident is critically injured or dies. Chronically negligent drivers likely have a long history of driving violations and points on their records. However, it is possible for anyone, even those with the best intentions, to be distracted while behind the wheel. A California distracted driving accident lawyer can help you if you have been involved in an accident with a distracted driver or you are concerned that you may be responsible for the accident.

California’s Scenic Wildlife — Rich Landscapes Often Equal Disaster

Wildlife vehicle collisions and distracted drivers are a recipe for disaster; human and wildlife fatalities sometimes result in multi-car crashes. The University of California-Davis released a report from their Road Ecology Center on wildlife-vehicle collisions or WVCs. The information included hot spots for these accidents throughout California. The San Francisco Bay Area had thousands of miles of the Bay Area included in its list.

The University alerts drivers to watch for wildlife interactions on the following Bay Area roadways:

  • US 101 through Southern Marin County
  • I-680
  • I-80
  • State Route 24 and SR 13 through the East Bay
  • SR 17 near Lexington Reservoir

Wildlife itself can be a driving distraction. Accidents also occur when drivers stop to admire wildlife and unintentionally create a hazard by blocking the road. Other times, an animal jumps out or crosses a roadway. A distracted driver is more likely to have less reaction time and swerve into oncoming traffic, a divider, or the animal itself. Disastrous accidents, even involving semi-trailers (also known as 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and big rigs) with devastating consequences, damages, and loss of life often occur in these wildlife hotspots. As their habitat shrinks, mountain lions and black bears become more vulnerable to traffic collisions. UC-Davis reported that from 2016 to 2020, more than 300 mountain lions and 557 black bears were struck and killed. Due to the construction of interstates slicing through wildlife home ranges, the Bay Area was identified as a prime region for such types of wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Safety Tips:

  • Pay attention to road signs
  • Avoid distractions that would divert your vision from the road
  • Mind the speed limit at tight turns
  • According to wildlife.com, using your vehicle’s brake system is wiser and less dangerous than attempting to swerve out of the way. Swerving can be particularly dangerous on congested roads when larger vehicles are present and in any form of inclement weather.

Note: According to the NHTSA, reading or typing a text takes your gaze off the roadway for an average of 5 seconds. While moving at 55 mph, this is comparable to driving the span of a football field blindfolded. An animal or other hazard could quickly appear during this window of time. You can only safely drive if you give your full attention to the task.

The Last Text They Ever Sent

Texting is one of the leading forms of distracted driving that triggers accidents and deaths. A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study found that texting while driving increases your risk of being in a traffic accident by 23 times.

VTTI data also suggests that hands-free electronic devices are less likely to cause accidents than handheld ones. Many drivers consider using voice-to-text to input the name of a song into a music streaming service as hands-free. However, accidents have resulted from these seemingly quick and effortless actions. For example, tapping a few buttons on the navigation screen while driving can lead to an accident, multi-vehicle crash, a fender bender, or a wildlife collision. According to NHTSA statistical findings, distracted driving led to the deaths of 3,142 people and injuries to an estimated 324,652 people in 2020 — a year that overall saw less traffic on roadways due to the Covid-19 pandemic-related lockdowns.

According to an annual survey by The Zebra, an insurance comparison site, 40.4% of Apple users admit to using their phones while driving, which is nearly a 14% increase from 2021 study results. Among Android users, 55.1% admitted to employing their phones while driving.

The NHTSA estimates that 660,000 US drivers use their cell phones while they drive a vehicle at any given time. The decision to pick up your phone while driving affects not only other drivers and passengers on the road, but also non-occupants (bikers, pedestrians, and others). In 2019, 566 non-occupants died in crashes involving distracted drivers, according to the US Department of Transportation (US DOT).

According to a Zogby Strategies poll commissioned by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Root Insurance, Bay Area drivers are five times more likely than Southern Californian drivers to use their phones when they get a call or text. In addition, our youngest drivers, teenagers, are some of the most susceptible to distracted driving, according to the California Highway Patrol, NHTSA, and OTS reports. OTS reports teenagers are most likely to suffer serious injury crashes due to driver distraction. An example needs to be set for the younger generations to reduce the tragic loss of life and decrease the rate of accidents and injuries on Bay Area roadways.

Tip: Stress the importance to those your love and care about to not text you or others while they drive and avoid other driving distractions. In addition, consider sharing articles like this one, filled with driving facts and statistics, with family and friends. You can help drive the message home on the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of handling this issue together as a community. Drivers, policymakers, and all Californians must be prepared to address this urgent crisis marked by the 20-year high traffic fatalities spike in 2022 and its correlation to distracted driving practices.

Texting is among the most dangerous forms of distracted driving as it involves all three kinds of distraction: visual (not focusing on the road), manual (not controlling the vehicle), and cognitive (not thinking about driving).

What is Vision Zero, and is it working?

San Francisco adopted Vision Zero — a traffic safety model that originated in Sweden in the 1990s. The model proved successful across much of Europe and is being employed in many US cities. Vision Zero looks at traffic safety through the lens that crashes, injuries, and fatalities are all preventable. The Vision Zero program recognizes that drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists sometimes make mistakes. Hence, road system designers, stakeholders, and legislators must address the issue together as a multidisciplinary approach aimed at ensuring errors don’t result in serious injuries or fatalities. Although the number of traffic deaths in San Francisco fell notably in 2017 following the program’s first few years, traffic deaths began to rise again from 2018 through 2021. Policymakers are working on employing new strategies and enforcing California distracted driving laws.

What to do after a California collision

California suffers approximately 200,000 auto accidents each year that result in injuries. Distracted driving has played a significant role in the nationwide all-time high of traffic accidents the US is currently facing.

After an accident, always call the police to ensure everyone remains safe and to initiate an official report. Move yourself and your vehicle to a safe position near the accident site, away from traffic and dangerous debris. Always seek medical attention, even if you feel fine at the moment, as hormones like adrenaline can mask pain and other injury symptoms. In addition, some injuries, like whiplash, can take days, even weeks, to surface. You will likely need to file an insurance claim. The claims process can be overwhelming, but it is necessary. Medical expenses and other damages can be costly and accumulate rapidly.

When to Consider Hiring a Bay Area Car Accident Attorney

As a driver in a distracted driving car accident, it is crucial to note that you may be held liable for the accident if it is determined that you were distracted while driving. As well as paying for the damages caused by the crash, you may have to compensate the other party for their injuries. However, a skilled Bay Area distracted driving lawyer will review the details of the impact and the accident report. Your attorney will look to identify points that may prove that the other driver was also distracted, in violation of California vehicle or traffic laws, or partially or totally at fault by other means, reducing or eliminating your liability. In addition, by demonstrating how another driver was at fault for the accident, you could be eligible for recoverable damages.

Distracted driving is the number-one cause of car accidents, and many people don’t realize how dangerous it can be. If you’ve been in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be able to receive compensation for medical debt, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. A distracted driving accident lawyer can advise you of your rights and options and get the compensation you deserve.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a California car crash, contacting an experienced California distracted driving accident attorney is critical. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney.

Understanding Comparative Negligence & Fault in California Bay Area Accidents

27 July
2022

California is an exceptionally beautiful place to live; however, it also has some of the most traffic-congested areas in our country, notably the Bay Area with major cities like San Francisco and Oakland. In densely populated regions, accidents are much more prone to happen, and nationwide, there was a surge of traffic-related fatalities in 2021. In the aftermath of an accident, there are several vital steps to take, like filing a police report, visiting urgent care to treat or check for injuries, documenting damage to vehicles, filing insurance claims, and figuring out who is to blame for the collision. When involved in a crash, determining fault is always a priority, but many are unaware that it’s not always clear-cut; responsibility may be assigned to multiple parties, and a partially at-fault party may still seek and receive compensation for damages.

What is Comparative Negligence?

Comparative fault laws or the doctrine of comparative negligence pertains to how much fault is assigned to each party involved in a collision. In California, relative negligence laws allow individuals to still recover damages from a crash, even if they partially contributed to its cause. In such cases, compensation is calculated in relation to the percentage or amount of fault. For example, in the event you are deemed to be 40 percent at fault for an accident, you would be liable for 40 percent of damages, but you will still qualify for compensation. While all states have some variation of this law, in those with modified comparative negligence rules, an individual cannot recover compensation if their fault in the accident is typically greater than 50 percent. Fortunately, California is a pure comparative fault law state, meaning an individual can still seek compensation despite being 99 percent at fault.

Comparative Negligence Defense

In car accident lawsuits or claims, comparative negligence can be utilized as a defense. A person accused of fault may argue that the victim was partially responsible for their injuries. The court or the jury determines each party’s percentage of liability in a comparative negligence case. Your compensation will be adjusted or reduced depending on how much you contributed to the accident.

Accidents may be triggered by various forms of negligence, which can impact the amount of damages you owe. A knowledgeable California car accident and personal injury law attorney can assist you in identifying the fault and pinpointing critical elements of the accident that can help your case. Some examples of negligence include but are not limited to:

  • Running a traffic light or failing to yield
  • Driving recklessly
  • Failure to signal
  • Tailgating
  • Speeding
  • Disregarding seatbelt laws
  • Ignoring pedestrian crosswalks, signs, and traffic lights

Pure comparative negligence can positively or negatively affect your case if you are partially at fault for an incident. Motor vehicle accidents, the claims process, and determining fault percentages are complex, making the process of recovering compensation both overwhelming and challenging. It can be additionally stressful when another party tries to claim they are the sole victim in a crash, and you are entirely to blame for the collision. If you or a loved one have been in a car accident, it is wise to contact an experienced Bay Area car accident lawyer right away. Schedule a free consultation today and have your questions and concerns addressed by our skilled and proficient attorney.

Whiplash Injuries

10 May
2022

Medically consulted injuries associated with car crashes have risen to roughly 4.8 million per year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) unveiled that the US just experienced an all-time high in traffic fatalities in 2021. Additionally, The Bay Area is home to the 4th most congested city in America and is no exception to the uptick in accidents and injuries. Common injuries related to collisions are back injuries, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burns, and whiplash.

45% of people who have chronic neck pain attribute that pain to a past motor vehicle accident, according to the analysis conducted by the Spine Research Institute of San Diego.

What Is a Whiplash Injury?

Generally speaking, whiplash is a term used to describe an injury to the neck, specifically, a sprain. A rear-end collision is a familiar source of whiplash as it induces the neck’s abrupt forward and backward motion. A sudden, violent jolt can force your neck’s soft tissues beyond their normal range of motion, resulting in a sprain. According to the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, there are 3.1 million new whiplash injuries each year.

Most Common Causes of Whiplash

John Hopkins Institute finds the most common cause of whiplash injuries is auto collisions, specifically rear-end impacts. Sports injuries can also cause whiplash, particularly in contact sports, and incidents of physical abuse and assault.

The force does not have to be great for car accidents to render a whiplash injury. These injuries often result from accidents in which vehicles were moving as slowly as five to ten miles per hour.

Whiplash: Signs and Symptoms

Before discussing signs of whiplash, it is vital to note that whiplash does not always appear instantly. After an accident, your body releases hormones like adrenaline to shield you from shock and trauma. As well as activating a fight-or-flight response, hormones temporarily mask or reduce pain. Unfortunately, this often results in individuals abstaining from emergency medical treatment (EMT) on scene and skipping an urgent care visit following an accident. A physician should always check you for any signs of injury that may not be immediately apparent in the aftermath of an accident.

Whiplash will almost always result in stiffness and soreness in the neck, which can also radiate to the shoulders. Usually, you’ll notice that your neck is less mobile than it would be if it weren’t injured.

You may also experience any of the following:

  • Blurred vision
  • Muscle spasms
  • Limited range of motion
  • Tingling or numbness traveling down to the arms and hands
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Feeling unsteady, disoriented, or dizzy
  • Problems with memory can accompany a whiplash injury
  • Depression and irritability

Tips for Avoiding Rear-end Collisions

Sadly, sometimes accidents are unavoidable due to other drivers’ aggressiveness, speeding, distracted driving, and general negligence. However, defensive and safe motorist techniques can help reduce the odds of a crash. Make sure you pay attention to the road ahead and your surroundings; be aware of the distance between you and other vehicles as you approach an intersection, a red light, and other road slowdowns. In addition to staying mindful and alert, you can avoid rear-end wrecks and other collisions by using your signals and mirrors, avoiding getting boxed in, and keeping a safe distance from reckless drivers you may encounter.

An Injury Caused by Someone Else’s Negligence

Consult with a knowledgeable Bay Area personal injury attorney when you suffer whiplash or any other injury due to another driver’s negligence. At-fault parties should always be held accountable. The cost of medical bills, therapy, prescriptions, and lost wages can quickly add up. Consulting an experienced car accident and personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process and ensure proper compensation.

Bay Area Accidents Due to Aggressive Drivers

29 April
2022

Aggressive driving, also referred to as reckless driving, is more prevalent in the Bay Area than one may assume. According to The UC Berkeley Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), the rate of fatal and severe crashes has reflected a notable increase. Overall, the U.S. has been experiencing an intense spike in traffic fatalities and serious injuries related to aggressive driving.

In a statement from The U.S. Division of Transportation (DOT), on May 16, 2022, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed grave concerns and stressed the need for an urgent response to a “national crisis of fatalities and serious injuries on our road.”

Description and Examples of Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is often associated with rush-hour car wrecks; however, it may occur in residential neighborhoods just as frequently and result in harmful and sometimes lethal outcomes.

Aggressive manifestations may include, but are not limited to:

  •   Excessive speeding
  •   Failure to obey traffic signals (red light accidents)
  •   Failure to honor street signs
  •   Tailgating
  •   Weaving in and out of lanes
  •   Cutting off drivers (often without signaling)
  •   Driving illegally on shoulders or driving on sidewalks
  •   Passing or attempting to pass vehicles in no-passing zones
  •   Failure to signal turns or lane changes
  •   Aggressive left turns
  •   Erratic lane changing
  •   Ignoring drivers or the signaling of others
  •   Driving in bike lanes or intimidating cyclists
  •   Disregarding “right of way”
  •   Exerting personal frustration on motorists
  •   Intentionally creating a hazardous merging situation
  •   Swerving (often repeatedly)
  •   Intimidation through aggressive acts or gestures
  •   Purposefully misusing auto horn to annoy, startle, or distract motorists
  •   Deliberately endangering motorcyclists

Dangerous Left Turns in the Bay Area

Being the fourth most congested city makes driving in San Francisco all the more dangerous. An increase in motorists on the roads translates to higher volumes of aggressive drivers and thus reduced time to safely maneuver challenging left turns. The results are difficult driving conditions, dangers to pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers, and ultimately, an increased risk for collisions, injuries, and fatalities.

Note: Research published by The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) in conjunction with The Vision Zero initiative discovered that nearly 40% of all traffic fatalities in San Francisco involved a left-turning vehicle. Stressful situations such as left turns in high traffic congestion can aggravate aggressive drivers and increase the likelihood of reckless driving.

Consequences of Aggressive Driving

In many cases, reckless driving offenses are attached to more severe charges like driving under the influence (DUI), hit-and-runs, street racing (illegal drag racing), and even vehicular manslaughter.

As part of California Vehicle Code Section 12810(b,c), the California Department of Motor Vehicles can impose two points on a driving record for reckless driving convictions. A reckless driving conviction may result in other costs, such as your insurance company raising your premiums or canceling your coverage altogether.

A reckless driving offense is considered a misdemeanor in California. Section 23103 of the California Vehicle Code defines the offense as driving “a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.”

One can commit the act of reckless driving on a public road or in an off-street parking facility.

The consequences of such an offense under California Code Section 23103(c) are “persons convicted of the offense of reckless driving shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one $145 nor more than $1,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment.”

However, additional circumstances may lead to increased charges, including “wet” reckless driving (DUI and reckless driving) and even vehicular manslaughter.

Recommendations to consider if you come across an aggressive driver:

  •   Try to (safely) stay out of or leave the path of the aggressive driver.
  •   Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver.
  •   Do not respond to or return gestures from an aggressive driver.
  •   Keep calm and avoid interactions with the aggressive driver.
  •   Ensure doors and windows are shut and locked
  •   Provide adequate room between yourself and the car ahead of you, whether at a red light or in stop-and-go traffic, or to pull out if needed.
  •   Call 911 over safety concerns for yourself and other drivers.

When an aggressive driver causes an injury or accident

In the event of an accident or injury caused by a reckless driver, you should contact an experienced San Francisco Bay area accident and injury attorney. You have the right to hold a driver responsible for injuries suffered due to an aggressive driver or related-wrongful death.

How Long After a Car Crash Can You Claim Injury?

12 February
2022

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA, the nation is experiencing an increase in traffic fatalities.

The roads of California are dangerous, and the San Francisco Bay Area is not immune from the recent uptick in car accident-related injuries and fatalities. If you are driving, you are at risk of traffic accidents. Thus, it is paramount to know what to do in advance or make an effort to educate yourself following a collision; you can avoid costly mistakes, whether the accident is a minor “fender bender” or a major injury accident.

Let’s discuss what to do first and how long you have to file an injury claim after an accident.

The Importance of Reporting the Accident

After the initial impact of a collision, a victim’s mind and body begin flooding with emotions, adrenaline, and questions. Typically, the initial question we ask ourselves after a crash is, what should I do first? Unfortunately, the answer is not always clear, and it’s challenging to prioritize which steps should take precedence over others following an accident. However, in most cases, you should first get yourself (and any fellow passengers) to nearby safety where you can check yourself and any passengers for immediate injuries, examine your vehicle, but most importantly, call the local police to the scene and begin the process of filing a police report.

Note: In California, a police report must be filed within 24 hours if anyone sustained an injury due to the accident.

Documentation is Crucial Throughout any Claim.

Aside from the police report and photographing damage to the vehicles involved, you should begin documenting any injuries. Documenting injuries could mean calling 911 if injuries sustained are immediately apparent, painful, or life-threatening. EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) dispatched to the scene will begin assessing your condition, documenting injuries, noting symptoms, and tracking vitals. Otherwise, it is always best to be seen as soon as possible at an urgent care, hospital, or by your primary care physician, regardless of how you may feel initially. Tell the physician or other attending healthcare provider you were in a car accident. Be advised that many injuries commonly sustained in a car accident are not always visible or felt instantaneously. Whiplash, for example, can take several days to show signs and symptoms.

When to Notify Your Insurance Company

Many insurance companies have their own policies regarding notification and filing timelines following an accident. If you have been in a car wreck, you should report the accident to your insurance company as soon as you get home. If your injury has left you incapacitated, your attorney can assist you with this step and those to follow. Be aware that procrastination or delay could result in losing your right to coverage.

Note: Whether in the police report or when notifying your insurance company, when you can do so, be sure to disclose any injuries you’ve sustained and that you believe you were not at fault.

The California Clock is Ticking to File a Claim

Just as insurance companies have time limits in place for filing a claim, each state does, too, known as a statute of limitations.

A statute of limitations is a law that specifies the maximum period parties have to commence legal action (i.e., file a lawsuit). This law is designed to encourage accident victims to file a claim as swiftly as possible.

In California, claims are subject to strict deadlines to ensure a fair process for all parties involved. California’s Statute of Limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury. If the injury was not discovered immediately, it is then one year after the date of discovery.

Note: If the accident involved a minor who sustained an injury, the victim has time to claim until they reach the age of majority (18 years of age).

A Bay Area car accident lawyer can assist you if you have been injured in a California car accident due to the other driver’s negligence. By filing your claim with the guidance and experience of a San Francisco Bay Area personal injury attorney, you can significantly strengthen the likelihood of a positive outcome for your claim and in receiving complete compensation for your injuries and related damages.