CALL 916-777-7777
Youtube Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in

Complacency, Poor Driving Habits Contribute to Fatality Increase

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
potential car accidentAccording to the National Safety Council (NSC), 2016 was the deadliest year for U.S. roads since 2007. A complacent belief that car accidents are inevitable, combined with lax attitudes toward high-risk dangerous driving behaviors, significantly contributed to the rising U.S. traffic fatality rate, according to NSC officials. Approximately 40,000 people were killed in deadly auto accidents across the country in 2016, leading to a six percent increase over 2015 and a 14 percent increase since 2014. In California, deaths from motor vehicle accidents exceeded the national average, increasing by 13 percent compared to last year and 19 percent since 2014. California was second in the U.S. for the highest number of traffic fatalities, only behind Texas with 3,751 auto accident deaths. An improved U.S. economy and recovering job market mean more drivers are able to afford to travel longer distances to commute for work and personal destinations, potentially contributing to the rising fatality rate, according to the NSC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More Drivers Less Focused on Safety California’s Office of Traffic Safety has identified distracted driving, impairment by drugs and alcohol, and speeding as the top causes of fatal accidents. A recent survey conducted by the NSC aimed to determine driver mentality toward high-risk behavior while operating a vehicle. The results revealed that, while 83 percent of those surveyed were concerned about road safety, a large portion of participants still found it acceptable to engage in dangerous behavior while driving:
  • 64 percent of participants are comfortable with speeding
  • 47 percent of participants admit to regularly text while driving
  • 13 percent of participants believe they can safely operate a vehicle while impaired by marijuana
  • 10 percent of participants said they could drive after consuming too much alcohol
The NSC and the NHTSA believe that stronger initiatives to crack down on dangerous driving behaviors are needed to improve U.S. roadway safety. Improvements in traffic and vehicle safety technology would also be beneficial. By providing more vehicles with cautionary technology, such as automatic braking and vehicle-to-vehicle communication capabilities, the number of traffic fatalities could dwindle dramatically, according to NSC officials. If you have lost someone you love in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. A Sacramento personal injury lawyer at the Arnold Law Firm can help you explore your options through a free, no obligation consultation. We only charge a fee if we are able to recover compensation for your claim.

Call (916) 777-7777 to get help after a collision.

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.