In addition to being a time people catch up on personal tasks and household chores, weekends are often spent relaxing with family or friends and taking in local activities. With all this activity, people throughout the Bay Area expect to encounter traffic on the roads. What they may not be aware of is how much this can end up increasing their motor vehicle accident risks. In the aftermath of a particularly deadly weekend for San Jose and other area residents, we want you to be aware of the risks and the steps you can take to protect yourself and others on the road.
Motor Vehicle Accidents Contribute to Deadly Weekend in San Jose
A recent weekend in the Bay Area proved to be particularly dangerous in terms of car, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents. Eight people were killed and numerous others were injured in collisions that occurred between Friday, September 13, 2019, and Sunday, September 15. Among the victims include:
- A San Jose car accident victim, killed in a crash on the Capitol Expressway on-ramp to northbound Interstate 680
- A Berkeley bicyclist who was killed near the Ashby Avenue on-ramp to Interstate 8
- A Felton woman killed in a single-car crash on Felton Empire Road
- A San Francisco motorcyclist who was killed after going over the rail on a connector to northbound Highway 101
- An Oakland pedestrian who was the victim of a hit-and-run accident at the corner of Foothill and Cole
While there were likely several factors involved in each of these crashes, the reckless actions of other motorists on the road likely played a role.
Protecting Yourself Against Weekend Motor Vehicle Accidents
While tragic, the spike in fatal motor vehicle accidents over the recent weekend in the Bay Area is not uncommon. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), weekends are one of the most dangerous times for all road users due to a general increase in crashes and collisions. Leading factors in weekend car accidents typically include:
- Poor nighttime visibility when coming home late or in the early morning hours after activities and events
- Decreased focus due to making mental plans or being distracted by passengers in the vehicle
- Increased speeding and aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, due to rushing to complete errands or to meet with family and friends
- Increased risk of impaired driving, due to consumption of alcohol or drugs
You can protect yourself when driving over the weekend or at any time by paying careful attention to the road, being considerate of other drivers, following all traffic rules and signals, and by avoiding getting behind the wheel when you are under the influence of any substance.
Contact Our Bay Area Accident Attorneys
When accidents happen, the Jachimowicz Law Group provides the trusted legal representation you need to hold at-fault drivers accountable. Call 408-550-1732 or contact our skilled San Jose motor vehicle accident attorneys online and request a free consultation to discuss how we can help you today.
Sources:
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-highway-safety