Good News - Fatal Automobile Accidents Are Declining

Finally there is good news about the accidents on California and Orange County roadways.  The number of fatal automobile collisions is actually declining.  According to statistics just released, fewer people died from traffic crashes statewide and in Orange County in 2010 when compared to the year before.  The Orange County Register has reported the statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which shows that California had a total of 2,715 traffic accident fatalities in 2010, a drop of 375 from 2009.  In Orange County, 105 traffic deaths were reported in 2010, a fall of 49 when compared to the year before.  

See the Orange County Register article HERE.  

Beyond the drop in traffic fatalities in 2010, the statistics being compiled by NHTSA show a decline in the numbers for the first nine months of 2011.   The number of traffic accident deaths in California has actually been steadily dropping since 2005.  This is also true for Orange County.  While the numbers are clear, the reasons behind them are at least a little murky.  Some ascribe the drop in traffic deaths to the slow economy and less driving.  However, the death rate per million vehicle miles of travel has also dropped steadily for the last six years.  Another factor which may be at work is that the vehicles on the road now are on average newer and safer than they were years ago.  Beyond that, according to the Orange County Register, the California Highway Patrol has indicated more enforcement is also a reason for the drop as all 103 CHP field offices are staffed around the clock.  Of course, the potential for civil and criminal accountability may both play some role in prompting greater care behind the wheel.  Whatever the reason or combination of reasons, the good news remains...fewer lives are being lost because of traffic accidents.

Compensation for the victims of fatal traffic accidents should be an important concern for all Californians.  When a driver operates their vehicle in a negligent or reckless manner causing a serious or fatal accident, they should be held accountable for all of the injuries and damages they cause.  An attorney with experience at handling wrongful death and auto accident cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.    Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years of experience handling automobile accident cases.  He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you lost a loved one because of a fatal traffic collision?

This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.

Distracted Drivers Causing Deadly Accidents

Once again, a post-accident investigation has revealed that a tragic, fatal accident was caused by driver distraction. In a multi-fatality accident in Missouri, a 19-year-old pickup truck driver had texted 11 times in the 11 minutes prior to the accident, including one just before the impact. The Associated Press/Yahoo News, has reported a federal investigation into a multiple vehicle accident has revealed the pick-up driver (traveling approximately 55 miles per hour) had texted just prior to driving his vehicle into the back of a tractor truck, setting off a chain collision involving two school buses. The pickup driver and a 15-year-old student aboard one the buses were killed, and 38 more were injured.

See the AP/Yahoo story HERE.

According to the California DMV website, driver distractions are the leading cause of most vehicle crashes and near-crashes. Citing a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), the DMV reported that 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve some form of driver distraction. The distraction occurred within three seconds before the vehicle crash!

According to the NHTSA and VTTI study, the principal actions that cause distracted driving and lead to vehicle crashes are:

• cell phone use.
• reaching for a moving object inside the vehicle.
• looking at an object or event outside of the vehicle.
• reading.
• applying makeup.

As more and more people purchase smart phones and other similar, electronic devices, it seems a logical inference the number of distraction-related auto accidents will climb. Behind the wheel of a 4 thousand pound vehicle is not the place to try one's hand at multi-tasking. In spite of this, nearly one in a hundred drivers on the road at any one time are texting, e-mailing or otherwise using an electronic device, according the National Highway Safety Administration. How many tragic automobile accidents could be avoided if drivers simply focused on the road while driving?

Compensation for the victims of automobile accidents caused by distracted drivers should be an important concern for all Californians. When a driver operates their vehicle while texting, e-mailing or surfing the web, they should be held accountable for the injuries and damages they cause. An Orange County injury lawyer with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims. Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years of experience handling Orange County automobile accident cases, including those involving distracted drivers. He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a loved one been injured or killed by a distracted driver?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.