Upswing in Fatalities in MVAs Nationwide
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Stockton. According to the National Safety Council, almost 40,000 people perished in motor vehicle accidents in 2016. Although this estimate is preliminary, it would designate 2016 as having the highest number of fatalities since 2007. It is important to explore the reasons for this upswing in fatalities so that measures can be taken by motorists to stay safe behind the wheel.
California Addresses Distracted Driving
Although there are many ways a driver can be distracted while driving, using a cell phone is one of the major causes of crashes. Under California Vehicle Code 23123.5, drivers may no longer use any handheld communication devices while driving, unless they are operating an emergency vehicle. However, the National Safety Council reports that even using a hands-free phone can be a distraction because the human brain cannot multitask safely in this way.
Types of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving may be visual, cognitive or manual, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Visual distraction involves the driver removing his or her eyes from the roadway. This happens when the driver looks at cars that are passing, fidgets with the radio or other similar activities.
- Cognitive distraction includes not mentally focusing on the road. Instead, the driver may be daydreaming or thinking about something else.
- Manual distraction happens when the driver removes his/her hands from the vehicle’s wheel such as dialing a radio station or reaching for food or drink.
Driver Behavior That Contributes to Accident Fatalities
Statistics supplied by the Insurance Information Institute for 2015 clearly shows the major causes of motor vehicle accidents caused by driver error.
- 18.1 percent: Speeding was the leading contributing factor to motor vehicle fatalities.
- 11.1 percent: Drugged or drunk driving contributed to over one out of 10 accident deaths. The number includes those using prescription drugs that can affect drivers.
- 7.1 percent: Drivers who failed to yield to others with the right of way were the third highest cause of accident fatalities.
- 6.9 percent: This percentage of drivers were either involved in run off road crashes or did not stay in their lane and caused a crash.
- 6.7 percent: Distracted driving such as eating while driving or talking on a cell phone caused this percentage of fatal crashes.
- 5.4 percent: Careless driving, operating a vehicle in an imprudent manner or without caution, contributed to this percentage of fatalities.
- Other causes included ignoring traffic signs (3.9 percent), reckless driving (3.8 percent), drowsy driving (2.6 percent) and going the wrong way on a road (2.2 percent).
Injuries That Are Common in a Car Accident
Serious injuries can be suffered in a motor vehicle accident. They may include bone fractures and abdominal trauma and extend to brain injuries, spinal cord damage and burns if the vehicle caught on fire. Treatment and recovery can be financially devastating. When an accident is due to negligence by another driver, speaking to an experienced Stockton injury lawyer can be a good first step in recovering fair compensation.
Stockton Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Stockton. If you have suffered an accident injury caused by a negligent driver, phone me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for friendly advice, that is free of charge. If you prefer, use our contact form on AutoAccident.com. I will get back to you promptly.
Comments and reviews by former clients can be found at:
Verdicts & Settlements on my website contains information about former cases and their resolutions.
As a Million Dollar Advocates member, I represent the California trial lawyers who have obtained $1 million in either verdicts or settlements for Californians who have suffered a personal injury.
As a Stockton and Northern California personal injury lawyer for 35 years, it has been my privilege to have helped many people obtain compensation. This includes pedestrian and bicycle accidents as well as traumatic accident injuries and wrongful death.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/car-accident-police-2391245/
Final Photo: Ed Smith, Stockton Car Accident Lawyer
:cd [cs 709] cv