What Is the Leading Cause of Traffic Fatalities in California?
The worst types of auto accidents are those that involve fatalities. Unfortunately, every year thousands of road users in California are victims of fatal traffic accidents. The negligence or recklessness of a driver is often a leading cause of fatalities in road accidents in California.
If you have lost a loved one in an auto accident you have the right to seek compensation for damages like loss of consortium, financial suffering for the deceased dependents, burial and funeral expenses, and more.
It helps to understand the types of damages available and the process involved in pursuing a wrongful death claim. Additionally, being aware of the major factors in California traffic deaths can provide valuable insight into the circumstances of the accident and help you build a strong case.
California Road Fatalities Statistics
The California Highway Patrol and the California Office of Traffic Safety regularly collect and analyze traffic accident and fatality data. In 2020, California didn’t have a single day without traffic fatalities. In 2023, the California Highway Patrol reported over 3,500 traffic fatalities.
Traffic fatalities increased approximately 7.6% from 3,980 in 2020 to 4,285 in 2021, highlighting the high risk of wrongful death in an auto accident in California. The California car accident statistics underscore a gender disparity in auto accidents. In 2024, approximately 72% of traffic fatalities in Los Angeles involved male victims.
In terms of Mileage Death Rate, or MRD, California has 1.38 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. This number is higher than several other states in the country.
Leading Causes Of Traffic Fatalities In California
While the leading causes of traffic fatalities in California are a result of human error, in some wrongful death cases, road conditions and issues with the vehicle can also result in devastating car accidents. Let’s explore the wide variety of reasons why car accidents happen.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is not only a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in California, it’s a problem that’s becoming worse as motorists increasingly rely on smartphones, in-car technologies, and social media. Anything that takes away the focus of the driver away from the road can be a distraction. Even a few seconds of distraction can be enough to cause a major accident.
California has enacted strict laws that ban the use of handheld devices while driving, yet the increasing dependency on smartphones and in-car technology continues to pose challenges to maintaining road safety. Most drivers think that they can multitask when driving, but in reality, even a brief lapse in concentration can result in a fatal accident.
Trying to grab something that’s out of reach, eating behind the wheel, cell phone use, or having an overly engaged conversation with the passengers can result in an auto accident.
DUI
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most well-known and deadly causes of traffic fatalities in California. Depending on the individual tolerance levels, alcohol in the blood can result in reduced reaction times, judgment, and coordination. These are essential to safe driving.
In California, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers aged 21 and over is 0.08%. The law is even more strict for commercial drivers, with the limit lowered to 0.04%. For drivers under the age of 21, California enforces a zero-tolerance policy for DUI. This means even a minimal level of alcohol in the system could be enough for a DUI charge.
Speeding
Speeding is another critical factor that escalates both the likelihood and severity of fatal car accidents. Driving above the speed limit dramatically reduces a driver’s ability to avoid a collision through emergency maneuvers.
When a driver is speeding, the time to react to sudden hazards is shortened, making it much harder to adjust to unexpected changes in traffic or road conditions. This reduction in reaction time can turn minor obstacles into life-threatening incidents. Not only does speed increase the risk of having an accident, but the high speeds increase the force of impact during a crash, often resulting in more severe injuries or fatalities.
Road Conditions
Beyond driver behavior, the state of California roadways themselves play a role in traffic safety. While some cities have decent road infrastructure, others require major improvement.
The weather conditions can vary across the state, with some locations getting considerable coastal fog and weather conditions that can make driving more dangerous. When weather conditions or poor roads are in play, the risk of a fatal crash increases. Weather conditions can cause poor visibility, slippery roads, and other conditions that make it more challenging to drive.
In cities along the Pacific, early morning fog can descend quickly, reducing visibility to a mere few hundred feet. This sudden obscurity leaves drivers with little time to react. The state’s inland areas, particularly the deserts of Southern California, present challenges in the form of intense heat and glaring sunlight that can impair a driver’s vision and concentration.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is most common for motorists engaged in long hours behind the wheel without adequate rest. However, it can also impact drivers who may be fatigued due to other reasons, such as needing to work during nighttime or use of medications that cause drowsiness. Truck drivers often spend considerable hours behind the wheel, and not getting enough rest or sleep can cause them to suffer from driver fatigue.
When the body or the mind has not got enough rest, the ability of the driver to react swiftly or to make sound decisions can be compromised. Even brief moments of drowsiness or fatigue can be enough for catastrophic consequences. This is especially true in an accident that involves high speeds or happens in areas with heavy traffic.
Legal Implications Of Traffic Fatalities In California
The legal implications of an accident that involves traffic fatalities can often be challenging to navigate. The responsible party may face criminal charges, including vehicular manslaughter or wrongful death claims.
The surviving family members of the deceased could also pursue other others of lawsuits against the at-fault party., including civil lawsuits to recover compensation for emotional distress, financial suffering, and other damages. If the liability is disputed, you should be ready to gather and provide evidence that proves that the opposing party was at fault.
For the surviving family members of the deceased, the legal path often involves pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit. The first step in the process is to establish a legal standing to file a claim. Only certain individuals, such as the deceased’s immediate surviving family members, are eligible to bring a lawsuit. In some cases, other dependents or beneficiaries may also have standing to file the claim.
A key component of a wrongful death claim is evidence to establish liability. The most commonly used evidence includes accident reports, witness statements, photographs of the scene, traffic camera footage, and expert testimony. Our dedicated team at Crown & Stone Law, P.C., works closely with clients, providing compassionate support throughout the process and ensuring that all avenues for compensation are explored.
Whether through settlement or trial, we fight tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients during such a challenging time. Consulting an experienced car accident attorney specializing in wrongful death or personal injury law is essential.
Consult With an Experienced California Attorney
We understand how difficult it can be to lose a loved one in a traffic accident, especially when the incident happened due to someone else’s reckless driving or negligence. At Crown & Stone Law, P.C., we can guide you through every step of the legal process toward compensation and closure. We believe in taking a personalized approach to each case, allowing us to tailor our legal strategies according to the demands of the case.
Seek traffic accident legal assistance from our skilled auto accident attorney. Our Personal injury services include cases that involve traffic fatalities. Using our experience and our deep legal understanding of the laws that apply to such cases, we can help you get justice. Contact us to get started.
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