According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been a significant increase in car accident fatalities in recent years. Keep reading to learn more about the study, what it means for California drivers, and what to do if you are injured in a car accident.
The Facts of the Study
According to the study in question, there was a 13% increase in traffic fatalities throughout the United States in the last five years. California itself saw an increase of 16% in traffic fatalities. In 2017 alone, there were more than 3,500 people killed in traffic accidents in California. The study further broke the deaths down and found that in California the following causes were involved:
- Nearly 30% of fatal car accidents involved speeding
- More than 23% of fatal car accidents involved driving while intoxicated
- 6.5% of fatal car accidents involved driving while under the influence of drugs
- Distracted driving led to nearly 4.5% of the fatal car accidents
There Were Surprising Findings in the Study
While the study had some non-surprising results there were some facts that were surprising to some. For example, while most people would assume that heavily populated states with large urban areas, such as New York and California, would have the highest number of traffic deaths. In fact, this is far from the truth.
According to the study, the stats with the three most traffic fatalities in 2017 were Wyoming, South Carolina, and Mississippi. Experts say this is due to a lack of law enforcement patrols, higher speed limits, and uneven roadways.
What to Do if You Are Injured in a Car Accident
If you have been injured in a car accident then there are a number of things you should be sure to do. First and foremost, call emergency personnel – including the police – to the site of the accident if there are any injuries at all or any property damage of more than $1000. Follow your doctor’s orders and continue treatment exactly as they tell you.
Get as much evidence as you can. This includes photos of the scene, all involved vehicles, contact information from other parties involved (including eyewitnesses) and all medical records. Write down everything you can remember about the accident as soon as possible after the accident. Many victims of car accidents assume they will remember what happened for the rest of their lives but when the shock wears off, the details can wear off too.
Then contact a personal injury attorney. You can reach The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. We will carefully assess your case to find the best way forward. Call us now and let us help you find the right way to handle your case.
