Sacramento Car Accident Statistics

Driving in California is a surreal experience. However, it also comes with certain risks. There are frequent accidents in Sacramento. Car accidents in Sacramento are mostly fatal. Many accidents have taken lives, caused disabilities and serious injuries. The accidents not only damages your physical being but bring significant financial losses. The victims have to go through expensive medical bills, repair vehicles, and let go of their income due to injuries incurred.

Car accidents in Sacramento can leave you vulnerable for a few days, weeks or even months after an accident. You might be unsure about your rights, legal avenues, negotiations and right settlement.

A Sacramento car accident attorney can help you navigate the complexities of a case.

If you or your loved one has been affected by a car accident, contact us to explain your case. Our industry-expert lawyers will clearly elaborate you about legal proceedings.

The Sacramento car accident statistics are concerning and give insight into the city’s road safety. Below, we have mentioned some significant statistics and details related to the car accident in Sacramento.

Rising Population And Car Accidents In Sacramento

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traffic accidents are the major cause of death in America. Sacramento, CA, is home to more than 400,000 people. Sadly, it also has thousands of car crashes yearly.

With the growing population over the years, there are more vehicles on the road. And more vehicles mean more accidents. If we take a glimpse, Teen drivers in fatal crashes (age 15-20) increased 14.8% from 413 in 2020 to 474 in 2021. Additionally, some reports show more men lose their lives annually than women.

The reason is men drive long distances, and ignore safety requirements like wearing seat belts. Many of them also Drive Under Influence (DUI), and drive too fast in an unsafe manner.

Factors like improving the road infrastructure and awareness of road safety can help reduce the impact of a growing population on accident rates.

Sacramento Crash Statistics

According to the Transportation Injury Mapping System SWITRS summary, over 50 alcohol-involved fatalities occurred in 2022. On average 3.8 distracted driving fatalities are recorded, followed by 18.6 fatalities involving drugs in Sacramento.

California Highway Patrol, over 200,000 traffic accidents occurred in 2022. This led to over 3,000 fatalities and 100,000 injuries. This is a 6.5% reduction in the number of casualties, followed by a reduction of 5.2% in the number of deaths compared to the year 2021.

Likewise, there is a reduction of 7.3% in the number of injuries.

Fatal Accidents and Type of Injuries

Fatal crashes in California increased by 29% (3,427 to 4,407) from 2019 to 2022. Although the numbers are surging in California, as a whole, the United States saw a tiny reduction in traffic death rates in 2022. Sacramento records 297 fatal and serious injury crashes in year 2022.

Injuries are diverse and can range from minor cuts and bruises to serious cases like spinal injuries, broken limbs or internal bleeding. The serious injuries can take a lifetime to recover or may not be curable.

Fatal Sacramento Car Accidents

Fatal car crashes in the United States have increased over the last few years. Deadly accidents increased by more than 16%, from 36,835 fatal car crashes in 2018 to 42,795 fatal crashes in 2022.

Traffic deaths in California increased by approximately 7.6% between 2020 to 2021. The deaths rose by 3,980 to 4,285.

According to 2022’s estimates, they increased again by 2.8% from 2021 to 2022.

Statistics On Causes Of Car Accidents In Sacramento

The most common causes of such fatal accidents are driver errors like breaking traffic rules, drinking under influence and neglecting safety reminders. Other causes include speeding, vehicle malfunctions, and more.

Speeding causes loss of vehicle control, increasing the chances of crash severity. 34% of car accidents resulted from excessive speeding in 2022. Driver errors like distracted driving increase the risk of crashing.

Distracted driving has caused 21% of all accidents, followed by failure to yield at 9%. Additionally, driving under the influence (DUI) resulted in 8% of crashes.

Comparative Analysis Of Car Accidents Year By Year In Sacramento

The comparative analysis of car accidents over the past five years in Sacramento indicates that the safety situation is serious.

Between 2018 and 2021, the city experienced more than 26,000 motor vehicle accidents. In 2020, fewer crashes contributed to reduced traffic accidents due to the pandemic. However, in 2021, Sacramento saw a sharp increase in automobile accidents, surpassing the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

Further, 2022 emerged as one of the deadliest years for motor vehicle accidents in the State, with over 4,000 fatal accidents and a distressing 277,000+ injuries-related incidents reported.

These statistics show the severity of the issue. The most distressing part is the rise in alcohol-related accidents in Sacramento. Additionally, it highlights the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and increased awareness to address Sacramento’s growing car accidents.

Sacramento, California Car Accidents Rules And Laws

Specific rules and laws govern car accidents in Sacramento, California. Understanding those laws is crucial for both drivers and passengers. Some major car accident rules and laws in Sacramento, California, include:

California Vehicle Code- Reporting Rules

As mentioned in CVC § 20008, if a car accident results in injuries or fatalities, the driver must report it and file a written report. The file should be reported with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or local police within 24 hours. When a police officer responds to an accident, they can file the report. Additionally, CVC § 20010 mentions that if the driver cannot make a report due to injury or other reasons, the responsibility falls on any passengers in the vehicles.

You must report to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days if any accident causes injury, death, or property damages exceeding $1,000. Likewise, if an accident involves a company vehicle, the relevant employee must report it to the employer within five days.

Statute of Limitations

The Statute of Limitation preserves evidence and ensures timely resolution of cases.

If you got into a car accident in Sacramento, California, the law provides a two-year time frame from the car accident date to file a claim or lawsuit. If you fail to file within the deadline, the court will discharge your claim.

So it is important to file your case within the prescribed time. If you’re unsure about how, and where to file your claim a Sacramento car accident lawyer can guide you throughout the process.

Insurance Requirements

California law mentions that if you own a vehicle in the State, you are held financially responsible for any accidents that you are involved in. You must have at least “15/30/5 insurance” for covering injuries, injuries sustained by the death of one person, and property damage, respectively.

Always keep proof of insurance available while driving. If not, it may lead to fines or losing driving privileges.

Furthermore, the other optional insurance coverage in California includes:

• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Physical Damage Coverage
• Liability Coverage
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured Drivers Coverage

The aftermath of a car accident is usually traumatic, specially when you sustain injuries or death.

It is crucial to consult a Sacramento car accident lawyer to navigate its complexities.