Due to the shelter-in-place order, there are significantly fewer vehicles on the road. This has led to a troubling increase in excessive speeding on highways throughout the state. California Highway Patrol has reported an 87% increase in speeding citations for speeding more than 100 miles per hour in the last two months. Golden Gate CHP arrested 84 drivers for driving under the influence as well as issued 1,572 tickets for speeding, 85 of those were for speeds reaching well over 100 miles per hour.
High-Speed Car Accidents in the Bay Area
While there are fewer cars on the road, speeding can significantly increase the risk of a serious car accident. The Bay Area has seen horrific high-speed crashes recently, despite urging people to stay at home, but if travel is essential, to drive safely. A multi-vehicle accident on I-580 in Oakland left two children dead and multiple drivers with serious injuries. Another fatal crash occurred a few days prior when a car lost control due to high speed on Highway 880 in San Leandro.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Bay Area Car Accident
With more people speeding on the roads, it is vital that you drive defensively. Make sure always to pay attention to the road, as many drivers are distracted or reaching reckless speeds. If you are involved in a car accident, try to remain calm and exit the vehicle, if you can. Sit in a safe location until paramedics can arrive. Take pictures of the scene and try to obtain contact information for any witnesses who saw the collision take place if it is safe to do so.
After receiving necessary medical care, you should contact an attorney. They will be able to guide you on the next steps in recovering compensation for your accident. Many car accident victims make the mistake of waiting too long to obtain legal counsel. There is a statute of limitations in recovering compensation for injuries incurred during a car accident in California. The sooner you gain legal representation, the quicker they can begin working on your case.
Gomerman | Bourn & Associates offers a FREE consultation to discuss your Bay Area Car Accident. Call 415-545-8608 to get started today!
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