By CJ Staff Reporters
Car accident statistics might make one state feel safer or more dangerous based on their results. However, you must consider that state’s population size to reach a more accurate conclusion.
When it comes to the state of California, car accidents are sadly frequent. Suppose you were involved in a car accident in California. In that case, you should seek a personal injury attorney to recover some damages. More information is here. Let’s check out some startling car accident statistics regarding California!
Over 200,000 Automobile Accidents Occur in California Yearly
California is no stranger to car accidents but let’s analyze these statistics from a couple of years ago and see how the situation has changed over time. For example, the California Highway Patrol’s SWITRS reports showed that in 2017, 3,904 people died in 3,582 crashes. Based on these statistics, there is about an 8% chance that a fatal car accident will result in multiple deaths.
In 2017 alone, 277,160 people were injured in 193,564 car accidents. Regarding the reports by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), traffic fatalities went down over 5% from 2018 to 2019.
There were 3,789 traffic fatalities in 2018, while in 2019, the number went down to 3,606. Based on the same reports, alcohol-related fatal crashes also decreased by about 4.5%. However, California in 2019 represented about 10% of all U.S. fatal crashes compared to other U.S. states.
Worse, California was in second place for car accidents resulting in fatalities out of all U.S. states, only surpassed by Texas. In 2020, California was still in the top ranks for car crashes, being the most dangerous state. Out of the 35,766 fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2020, a stunning 3,558 fatal crashes occurred only in California.
In 2021, California experienced another increase in car accident fatalities, as 4,161 motor-vehicle-related deaths occurred. Regarding car accident statistics for California in 2022, which are still incomplete, and predicted outcomes for 2023, we can expect the same 200,000 car accidents and 3,000 motor-vehicle-related deaths mark to be surpassed again.
The Two Leading Causes of Car Accidents in California
According to the statistics, California is undoubtedly among the most dangerous states for U.S. drivers. But what exactly are the leading causes of car accidents in this state? It turns out there are two major reasons:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is among the most common issues that result in car accidents in California. Drivers who talk to passengers, eat or drink, text or chat on the phone, check their GPS, or browse online while driving are responsible for many car accidents. About 74.3% of Californians highlighted this as their biggest traffic safety concern while driving.
Intoxication
In California, it is illegal to operate any vehicle if you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Still, in 2019 for every 100,000 Californian drivers, there were 458 DUI arrests made.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Out
Suppose you or a loved one experienced a car accident in California. In that case, you should immediately consult with a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can help you claim economic or non-economic damages to recover financially from your injuries. Take legal action and fight for your rights! Let a lawyer do the hard work while you rest and heal.
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