Deadly crashes frequently happen on certain stretches of the roadway.
Two of the deadliest stretches of highway in California can be found on Interstate 80 in the East Bay area, according to a recent statewide car accident study by MoneyGeek. The same study also identified the top 10 deadliest stretches of road in California, along with the most common contributing factors in such fatal car accidents.
California's deadliest highways include I-80 in East Bay.
The study released in September looked at fatal car accident data in California compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from 2017 to 2019. Based on such accident data, two of California's deadliest stretches of roads and highways included two parts of I-80 in the East Bay:
- I-80 between Exit 14A and Exit 8A, which includes parts of Interstate 80 in Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, and Albany, California. On this 5-mile-long stretch of I-80, a total of 17 people were killed in 15 fatal car accidents during this 3-year period.
- I-80 from Exit 15 to Exit 17, which includes parts of Interstate 80 in Richmond, El Cerrito, Pinole, and San Pablo, California. During this 3-year period, 18 people were killed in 13 fatal car accidents on this 5-mile-long stretch of I-80.
Why do so many accidents happen on I-80?
MoneyGeek identified several contributing factors in fatal car accidents on the deadliest roads in California. Some of the common causes of deadly car accidents on East Bay's I-80 and other dangerous roads in the state include:
- Speeding – 28 percent of these accidents involved excessive speeding, making it the most common contributing factor in these accidents.
- Drunk driving – 27 percent of fatal car accidents on these roads involved drivers under the influence of alcohol.
- Distracted driving – 4 percent of these accidents involved drivers not paying attention, whether it was texting and driving or other forms of distracted driving.
What steps should you take after a highway accident?
If you have been involved in a serious accident on I-80 in California's East Bay or another nearby highway, make sure you take certain steps immediately to protect your rights. If you are at the scene of an accident, you should do the following:
- Make sure you and your vehicle are not blocking traffic and are at risk of being hit again by another vehicle. Unfortunately, multiple accidents often occur on busy highways.
- Call 911 and tell the police dispatcher you have been involved in a highway car accident. Give your exact location to the best of your ability. Mile markers and exit signs can help give the police an idea of where the crash is located.
- If someone saw your collision, get their full name and phone number before they leave the scene of your accident. Statements from eyewitnesses can be powerful pieces of evidence.
- If it is safe to do so, take photos of your accident.
- Exchange information with the other driver. This includes your name, address, driver's license number, and insurance information.
- See a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and document any potential injuries.
- Call an East Bay car accident lawyer right away to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Contact an East Bay car accident attorney today.
Highway accidents on I-80 and other freeways in California's East Bay can happen fast and often result in serious injuries, significant vehicle damage, and sometimes even fatalities. If another driver caused your collision, you should be fairly compensated for all your injury-related expenses. However, obtaining the money you rightfully deserve can often be very difficult. That's because insurance companies have a financial incentive to pay crash victims as little compensation as possible.
The car accident lawyers at Clancy & Diaz, LLP in the Bay Area can help you every step of the way. We know how to handle complicated cases and get results for our clients. We know what legal strategies work, and we're prepared to go the distance to build the strongest possible legal case on your behalf.
Learn more about your legal rights and how we can help you. Contact us and schedule your free evaluation with a California car accident attorney you can count on in a crisis. We have two offices in Walnut Creek and Antioch. In addition, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we obtain a financial settlement or court verdict for you.