Car Crash Statistics Paint a Bloody Picture of California’s Roads
Crash statistics were trending downward over the years, but came back up again during the COVID-19 pandemic. California’s car culture is all about residents living and enjoying their lives in their vehicles. Too many of us also become severely injured and killed in our beloved cars, SUVs, and trucks.
Orange County car accident attorney Aaron Hicks helps his clients cope with severe physical injuries, psychological harm, medical bills, a wrecked car, and lost income. He can be part of the team that puts your life back together.
Call our office at (949) 541-9944 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a free consultation regarding your auto accident with Mr. Hicks directly today.
Good and Bad News, But the Numbers are Hard to Ignore
California traffic deaths went up steadily with increases in seven consecutive quarters from early 2020 through the first quarter of 2022, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, reports California Local.
The good news is NHTSA estimates that in the first six months of 2023, there was a 12% decrease in California road deaths compared to the same months in 2022. The bad news is that 2,341 people were killed on our streets and highways during that time, or about 90 each week.
Our national traffic death picture is mixed:
- The annual death toll on the nation’s roads has stayed relatively steady for decades, sinking to a low of 32,999 in 2010 but coming back up to 42,795 in 2022 during the pandemic. For the first half of last year, it was 19,515
- Our per capita death rate is lower today than it was in the 1970s. The country’s population increased by about 110 million people since 1975, but traffic fatalities have remained generally the same
By that measure, American roads are safer, but the number of deaths is staggering. It’s estimated more than 2 million Americans have been killed on American roadways since 1975, roughly the equivalent of the populations of San Diego and Fresno combined.
Pedestrians are Getting Killed by the Thousands
Pedestrian deaths in the US jumped 77% from 2010 to 2021, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). All other traffic-related deaths increased by 25% over the same 11 years. In California, there were an estimated 1,100 pedestrian fatalities in 2022, down by 20 from 2021. That figure for 2022 in the US is 7,508, the highest loss of pedestrian lives since 1981 (7,837).
Speed Really Does Kill
There could be any number of causes for a fatal vehicle crash, but frequently it’s speed. With higher speed comes less control, shorter time frames to make decisions, and longer braking distances and times. It’s easier to go through yield and stop signs and red lights mistakenly. With higher speeds comes greater physical force unleashed by the vehicle onto whatever or whoever is struck, increasing the chances of severe and fatal injuries.
In 2021, excessive speed was a factor in 29% of traffic fatalities across the US. That’s 12,330 deaths in 11,057 crashes caused by speeding. The UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center reports that 35% of the 4,285 traffic fatalities in California crashes in 2021 were caused by excessive speeds, which comes to 1,509 deaths.
How Aaron Hicks Can Help You and Your Family After a Vehicle Accident
Aaron Hicks is an experienced Orange County vehicle accident lawyer. He provides representation and guidance to those injured in vehicle accidents. Aaron Hicks also works with families of those killed in accidents in wrongful death claims.
California vehicle accident injury cases usually involve two phases: an insurance claim and, if necessary, a lawsuit. Aaron Hicks negotiates with the responsible party’s insurance carrier to secure a fair settlement based on the evidence, your injuries, and California law. If a settlement cannot be reached, a lawsuit may be filed, negotiations will continue, but the case may be decided after a trial.
Aaron Hicks is an Orange County Car Accident Attorney You Can Trust
If another party causes an accident that results in an injury to you or a loved one, Aaron Hicks at the Hicks Law Firm can help. He is an experienced car accident lawyer representing clients with vehicle accident claims throughout Southern California and Orange County, including Irvine, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach. Call us at 949-541-9944 or complete our online contact form so Aaron Hicks may discuss your case with you.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
