Every local driver understands the different hazards they can encounter when driving in Sacramento. However, many people do not realize there has been an increase in traffic incidents and accidents in the last five years, ignoring the anomalies caused by the pandemic.
With an increase in such incidents comes an increase in accidents that cause mild to severe injuries and fatalities. While a vehicle accident lawyer can help you seek compensation following these incidents, it is better to know about them, so it is easier to avoid life-long consequences. Let’s look at some of the most important accident statistics for Sacramento over the past few years.
Vehicle Accidents Have Been Increasing Since 2017
Car accidents have increased in Sacramento since 2017, although there was a noticeable dip in 2020. This dip is because there were only a few people on the road during the pandemic due to quarantines and work-from-home arrangements.
Cases have continued rising since then, with the reversal only lasting one year. According to California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), there were 2,123 accidents in 2017, 3,279 in 2018, 3,649 in 2019, 2,931 in 2020, and 3,842 in 2021.
TIMS also found that fatal accidents have been on the rise. Here are the number of fatalities in the years they have statistics for:
- 66 in 2017
- 52 in 2018
- 48 in 2019
- 40 in 2020
- 58 in 2021
There were also over 5,500 injuries directly attributed to car accidents in Sacramento in 2022.
The Pandemic Led to Speeding Drivers
Experts have a theory that since fewer cars were on the roads during the pandemic, drivers discovered they could drive much faster because the roads were less packed. Once they formed this habit, they continued speeding even when the number of vehicles on the roads increased in 2021.
These drivers also had difficulty navigating the packed roads and streets when they were used to empty ones, which led to an increase in the number of collisions.
As we wait for the 2022 data, experts hope drivers now understand the risks involved and have changed their habits and behaviors while driving.
Pedestrian Accidents Are a Concern
According to different sources, the city’s police department says they are concerned about a frightening increase in pedestrian accidents in Sacramento. Despite the dip in the number of overall accidents, injuries, and fatalities seen in 2020, accidents involving pedestrians have been increasing over the last three years.
Sacramento police recorded 13 pedestrian deaths in 2019, 15 in 2022, and 22 in 2021. These statistics are concerning when you consider how many people visit the city and choose to walk instead of taking the many transportation options.
They are also concerned because of how devastating they can be since pedestrians are not protected if a vehicle strikes them. Anyone involved in a pedestrian accident should contact a pedestrian accident lawyer to seek compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and financial losses.
Alcohol Is a Major Cause of Accidents
Many factors can lead to car accidents. Alcohol and driving under the influence are two of the most common. TIM says that it noted a significant increase in the number of alcohol-related accidents in the city in 2021.
Despite reporting 316, 330, 323, and 302 incidents in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, the data indicates there were 424 alcohol-related accidents in 2021. This sharp increase also led to over 600 injuries.
The decision to drive while drunk or under the influence also took a toll on families and communities, with DUI-related fatalities also rising in 2021. There were 18 fatalities compared to 11 in 2020, 16 in 2019, 14 in 2018 and 24 cases in 2017.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office saw a spike in DUI cases involving fatalities. If the trend continues, the community will sadly have to deal with more cases like this. Fortunately, they can get help from an experienced wrongful death attorney to sue for compensation and get justice for their loved one.
Sacramento Still Has Dangerous Roads
Sacramento, like many other cities in the United States, put its Vision Zero Plan in place in 2020. The plan’s goal is to reduce the number of car accidents on Sacramento roads, reducing injuries and fatalities. Under this plan, the most dangerous roads were identified so they could be improved, and campaigns were launched to educate drivers on road safety and safe driving.
Since the plan has been in place for only two years, it is too early to judge where it is working. Regardless, it has identified a section of Florin Road from 24th Street to Munson Way as a dangerous section for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists based on past data. This road section has had 192 vehicle accidents, 29 cyclist accidents, and 28 accidents involving pedestrians in the past nine years.
The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Sacramento
Understanding the number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries and the dangerous roads in Sacramento, we should explore why these accidents happen. Apart from alcohol and substance abuse, there are several other causes.
One of these is distracted driving. Many drivers take their eyes and minds off the road and their heads off their steering wheels. They might do this because they are tired, eating, smoking, drinking, or simply switching radio stations.
Another common cause is speeding. Drivers who drive above the speed limit are in less control of their vehicles and cannot react to incidents quickly enough. Higher speeds also mean accidents have much worse outcomes due to the vehicle’s momentum, and energy. Since speeding is a driver’s fault, you can contact a car accident injury lawyer to file a lawsuit if a speeding driver injures you.
Car accidents are a significant concern in Sacramento, even though they are preventable. They lead to devastation by causing severe and life-long injuries and impact communities by causing fatalities. If you have been injured in such an accident, you can seek compensation with the help of an automobile accident lawyer. You can also contact a wrongful death law firm if your loved one has died in an accident.
Contact our legal team at What’s My Case Worth for a no-obligation consultation if you have been injured in a car accident or a loved one has died in one.
