Personal InjurySan Francisco Car Accidents Add to State's Mounting Toll
People are losing their lives in car accidents across the nation at a frantic pace. In 2006, an average of 117 people died daily in car crashes--or about one death every 12 minutes. California leads the nation in car accidents. And placing California in the lead are the increasing numbers of car collisions that occur in big cities such as San Francisco.
The reason for San Francisco car accidents is no mystery. Bay area roads and highways are more congested than ever with more traffic, more heavyweight trucks on the road, and more inattentive drivers. The California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) offers these car accident statistics: In 2006, 39 people died and 3,440 were injured in car collisions in San Francisco. Alcohol accounted for 14 fatalities and 259 injuries in those car collisions. Drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or above are considered legally intoxicated.
San Francisco is criss-crossed with steep downgrades, narrow streets, blind intersections and winding roads," noted John Bisnar. "The city has many bars and nightclubs, which adds alcohol to the mix. Combine this with tourists in rental cars unfamiliar with the streets and their vehicles and you have the perfect formula for car collisions.
There is some good news. According to the California Highway Patrol, San Francisco car accident fatalities dropped during the last holiday season. The number of car accident fatalities over the four-day holiday weekend was two, the same as last year. The CHP also reported that the number of car accidents was 23 last Labor Day in San Francisco, down from 42 last year. A crackdown on drunk driving by Bay Area law enforcement agencies helped save lives and prevented many injuries.
A common cause of car injury accidents in San Francisco, especially in the "avenues," occurs when two cars approach a four-way intersection simultaneously. One of the drivers will plow through a stop sign and "t-bone" the other driver. This happens all too often in San Francisco because many of the city's stop signs aren't always easily visible. Although t-bone car collisions are typically just minor impacts, they can result in serious injuries, such as broken shoulders and ribs. The reason for this is that in t-bones, front bumpers and heavy engines will penetrate doors and windows of the other car. Unfortunately, drivers and passengers of the broadsided car have far less protection than in a head-on car collision. Seat belts and even side curtain air bags are just not as effective in these car accidents.
Common sense and a little defensive driving are your best defenses in these types of car accidents. One should never assume that the other driver will stop, even when they are legally required to by a stop sign.
San Francisco OfficeImmediately call an experienced and reputable San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer for a free consultation at 1-800-561-4887 or contact the BISNAR | CHASE San Francisco personal injury lawyers. Read more about car accidents in San Francisco at the San Francisco Car Accident Digest.
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