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100 Deadliest Days of Summer

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
teen driving safely in summerRoad-safety experts call the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day the “100 deadliest days of summer” due to the increased number of accidents that occur during this time period. More teen drivers are on the road in the summer, because of school break, working summer jobs, taking vacations or traveling with friends. With more inexperienced drivers on the road, there is an increase in the number of people injured by accidents involving teens. Additionally, summertime often invites partying and substance abuse, so impaired drivers pose an additional risk for others on the roadway. Drive with caution this summer. If you are involved in a collision, contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Sacramento, CA from the Arnold Law Firm for assistance. Our skilled personal injury attorneys can review the circumstances of your case and determine if you have a viable claim against a negligent driver.

Impact of Summer Car Accidents Involving Teenage Drivers

Across the United States, approximately 260 teens die in traffic accidents every month during the summer. This represents an increase of approximately 25% over other seasons. Motor vehicle accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teens. Teenage drivers are three times more likely than more experienced drivers to be in a fatal traffic accident, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of teen driving accidents, with three out of five teen-driver crashes involving this dangerous habit. Contrary to popular belief, the leading distraction is actually other passengers, not cellphones.

Driving Under the Influence

Impaired driving is also dangerous for this age group. While statistics from the CDC show that the percentage of teens who drink and drive has decreased by approximately half during the last 25 years, alcohol continues to play a part in many teen traffic accidents. Peer surveys report that one out of ten teens admit to drinking and driving. Most teen drunk driving accidents occur on Friday and Saturday nights. Drinking any amount of alcohol increases the risk of a teen being involved in a fatal traffic accident. Drivers between the ages of 16 to 20 are 17 times more likely to die in an accident when they have a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit, as compared to drivers who have not been drinking. More than one of every 100,000 people aged 20 or younger are killed in a DUI accident every year. One out of five teen drivers involved in fatal car accidents in 2010 had some alcohol in their system, with 81% of them having a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit for adults. Impaired driving can be caused by factors other than alcohol, such as:
  • Marijuana
  • Other drugs
  • Prescription drugs
  • Over-the-counter sleep aids or cold medicines
Driving simulation research has demonstrated that mixing marijuana and driving has resulted in the impairment of key driving-related skills, including:
  • Detecting a target
  • Tracking ability
  • Judgment
  • Anticipation
  • Reaction time
  • Divided attention
  • Risk-taking to avoid an accident

Contact a Lawyer for Help

If you were injured by a reckless teenager this summer, it is important that you clearly understand your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for the property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering that you experienced because of the accident. The personal injury attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm can carefully evaluate the circumstances surrounding your claim. We can help identify all parties who may bear responsibility for the accident, including the owners of the vehicle or the parents of a reckless teen driver. Our experience enables us to determine the factors that may have contributed to the accident, and we have ample resources to ensure that this evidence is properly preserved for your claim. We offer a free consultation to discuss the intricacies of your claim. We work on a contingency basis, so you owe us nothing unless we help you collect compensation on your case.

Call (916) 777-7777 today.

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.