Oakland Car Accident Attorneys
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 33,808 car accident-related fatalities in the United States in 2009, the most recent year statistics are available. Additionally, approximately 2.2 million people were injured in car accidents during the same year. In California, 3,081 people lost their lives in car crashes in 2009, with thousands more were injured, making it the deadliest state in the country in relation to car accidents.
Causes of Car Accidents in Oakland
There are many factors that can result in a car accident in Oakland. One of the most common causes of accidents is distracted driving, which is when a driver pays attention to something besides operating the motor vehicle, such as using a cell phone or mp3 player. The NHTSA reports that 5,474 people were killed, and about 448,000 were injured, in accidents that were reported to have involved distracted driving in 2009.
Another cause of Oakland car crashes is excessive speeding. The more a driver speeds, the shorter their reaction time will be if they need to act suddenly to prevent an accident. Drunk driving is also a serious problem in the U.S., and accounts for about 40 percent of all traffic accidents in the country. 10,839 people were killed in drunk driving-related crashes in 2009. In California, there were 950 fatalities that were due to drunk driving that year.
Reckless driving can also result in a car accident, whether a motorist is tailgating another vehicle too closely, changing lanes too quickly, or driving in other careless ways. Driving while fatigued, which is a common cause of truck accidents in Oakland, can cause a motorist to fall asleep at the wheel and lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash.
There are other events and circumstances besides driver behavior that can cause a car collision in Oakland. Bad driving conditions, such as fog, ice, heavy rain, or roads that are poorly maintained and have potholes can result in a crash. Manufacturing flaws, such as a defective car part, can cause a vehicle to be pre-disposed to accidents.
Oakland Car Crash Injuries
Individuals involved in car accidents in Oakland can suffer a variety of injuries. The most common injuries include:
- Face and head injuries, including bruises, fractures, lacerations and dental injuries;
- Brain injuries, such as a concussion;
- Neck injuries, including fractures, disc injuries, sprains, and whiplash;
- Arm and shoulder injuries, such as dislocations, fractures, lacerations, and sprains;
- Back and spine injuries; and
- Various other injuries affecting a victim’s hips, knees, legs, and feet.
In some cases, a car accident victim can sustain serious psychological injuries with symptoms that are similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depending on the severity of the crash, a victim can suffer more serious injuries, such as broken bones, paralysis, and death.
Damages & Liability in an Oakland Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident in Oakland that you believe was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and related losses. Damages could include coverage for hospital bills, ongoing medical expenses if further treatment is required, pain and suffering, loss of present and future wages, vehicle damage, and more. To find out how the Oakland car crash attorneys at Balamuth Law can help you during this difficult time, call 1-888-254-1234.
Oakland Resource Center
- Oakland Car Accidents
- Oakland Construction Accidents
- Oakland Pedestrian Injuries
- Oakland Personal Injuries
- Oakland Slip and Fall Accidents
- Oakland Truck Accidents
