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California Drivers Ranked Among Worst in Nation

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in

California has been ranked as having the second-worst drivers in the U.S., according to a study conducted by Quote Wizard, an insurance company comparison website.

Quote Wizard analyzed statistics gathered from its own reports and the Federal Highway Administration to identify state fatality information and the number of accidents involving speeding tickets, DUIs and additional violations in order to rate each state.

The study revealed that in each category, California placed:

  • Second for DUI accidents
  • Fifth for traffic citations
  • Seventh for auto accidents
  • Ninth for speeding

California cities with the worst drivers included Oakland, Sacramento and Anaheim, respectively.

Quote Wizard has stated that an improved economy is partially responsible for California’s low ranking, since most residents commute to work by driving.

California has seen an increase in drivers in recent years, with Sacramento experiencing a 27-percent increase in motorists from 2009 to 2014. This spike could be related to job creation and lower fuel costs.

The state that received the worst ranking for its drivers was Utah, while the Rhode Island was rated as having the safest drivers and had the lowest fatality rate per licensed driver, according to the Quote Wizard study.

The data also showed that West Coast drivers are not as good as East Coast drivers, who were rated as safer drivers by scoring 13 percent higher.

If you were injured in an auto accident, contact a licensed Sacramento, CA car accident attorney at the Arnold Law Firm. We offer a no obligation, complimentary claim review and will determine if you are entitled compensation. Our injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis and will not charge any legal fees unless you receive a favorable outcome in your case.

Call (916) 777-7777 or fill out a Free Case Evaluation form to schedule a consultation.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.