Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in California

Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in California

• October 8, 2024
• Categories: Vehicle Accidents

There are many causes of fatal car accidents in California.  But, regardless of the cause, these deadly collisions can leave families shattered and entire communities searching for answers.  Whether it’s a single-vehicle wreck on a city street or a multiple-car pile-up on a busy interstate, vehicle accidents are a major cause of death for Californians.

Some of the most common causes of California’s fatal car crashes include:

• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
• Aggressive driving and road rage
• Potholes and road debris
• Rain, sleet, snow, high winds, and other inclement weather
• Driving on unfamiliar or winding roadways
• Texting and/or talking on mobile devices.

Innocent drivers can suffer broken bones, horrific burns, TBI, neck and spinal injuries, or worse, when cars collide with other vehicles or stationary objects.  These accidents can be due to driver error, improper maintenance, defective vehicle manufacturing and design, or insufficient roadway maintenance by city, state, and federal agencies.  Depending on the circumstances of a crash, injured parties can file a lawsuit for damages and name the driver, a trucking company, a third-party cargo loader, an auto manufacturer, and/or government entities as defendants.  An experienced and skilled car accident attorney can advise you of your rights and tell you what your case might be worth.

California Fatal Driving Statistics

There were 39,083 fatal vehicle accidents in California in 2021, making it the second most deadly state in the nation (behind Texas).  These California fatal driving statistics demonstrate just how catastrophic accidents can be when drivers are negligent.  In total, 4,285 people died in crashes that year, representing 10.9 fatalities for every 100,000 in population, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  Motorists traveled 310,823 million miles on California roadways that year, which means there were 1.38 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

California fatal driving statistics based on type include:

• Car Accidents – 1,502 (35%)
• Pickup and SUV Accidents – 822 (19%)
• Large Truck Accidents – 39 (1%)
• Motorcycle Accidents – 586 (14%)
• Pedestrian Accidents – 1,108 (26%)
• Bicycle Accidents – 124 (3%)

Death by crash type:

• Single-Vehicle Accidents – 2,362 (55%)
• Multiple-Vehicle Accidents – 1,923 (45%)

Many of these fatalities could have been avoided if some drivers hadn’t been careless, drowsy, distracted, or otherwise inconsiderate and unconcerned with the safety of other motorists on the road.

Distracted Driving Is a Major Culprit

There were 140 people killed in California crashes involving a distracted driver in 2021, an increase of 27.3% over 2020, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Mobile devices remained the biggest distraction for drivers, including texting, emailing, taking pictures, or using apps.  Drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash if they text while driving, according to California law enforcement.

A 2023 OTS Public Opinion Survey found that 74% of California residents identified distracted driving (texting or talking) as their biggest safety concern on California roadways.  California OTS data shows driver distraction is the primary cause of major injury crashes involving teens.

Driving while using a mobile phone is a violation of Vehicle Code (VC):

• 23123 (a) VC – Driving while talking on cell phone or non-hands-free device (over age 18).
• 23123.5 (a) VC – Texting while driving.
• 23124 (b) VC – Driving while talking on a cell phone (under age 18)

California law allows a driver to use a mobile device only to make emergency calls to a medical provider, law enforcement, the fire department, or other emergency services agencies.  The fine for a first-time texting or mobile phone violation in California costs a minimum of $162, and fines go up significantly with each subsequent violation.  California Highway Patrol is unrelenting in its enforcement of these laws.

DUI, Speeding, and Aggressive Driving Can Cause Catastrophic Accidents, Too.

When analyzing the causes of fatal car accidents in California, statistics glaringly show how deadly drinking and driving can be.  There were 1,760 drivers killed in 2021 in drunk driving accidents.  That means a huge percentage of the total number of drivers killed had been drinking alcohol shortly before they got behind the wheel.  Drunk driving in California is defined as any passenger vehicle driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) equal to or greater than 0.08%.

Speeding and aggressive driving can cause catastrophic accidents, too.  That’s because traveling at high speeds, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and road rage can lead a driver to lose control and crash into other vehicles, often with deadly results.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a California car accident, you don’t have to suffer alone.  Mounting medical bills, lost wages, trauma, and chronic pain can make your future feel overwhelming and dire.  At Neale & Fhima, our skilled and compassionate legal team understands how you feel.

Neale & Fhima Will Fight for Your Rights

At Neale & Fhima, we take charge of situations like these and fight aggressively on behalf of clients who have been injured in vehicle crashes.  If your loved one has been killed, we will file a wrongful death lawsuit.  A car accident lawyer at Neale & Fhima will leave no stone unturned when reviewing evidence and building a powerful legal case to prove that the other driver was negligent and showed little concern for the safety of other motorists on the road.  We are committed to securing the best financial outcome possible for every client’s case we handle.  To find out more about how we can help, call us for a free consultation at 888-407-2955.