Santa Clara County Car Accident Statistics On The Rise
According to a recent Santa Clara County Public Health Department Report, the number of visits to emergency rooms due to motor vehicle accidents has increased steadily since 2005. As recently as 2012, motor vehicle traffic collisions ranked as one of the top ten leading causes of injury deaths among all age groups in Santa Clara County. Motor vehicle traffic accidents ranked first in the leading causes of injury deaths among ages 5 to 14 and ages 25 to 34. In Santa Clara County, motor vehicle deaths cost over an estimated $1.5 million in medical costs and $173 million in work loss costs per year.
In addition, the Report showed that the number of pedestrian-involved collisions represented a disproportionate share of fatal motor vehicle traffic collisions. Pedestrian-involved motor vehicle traffic collisions account for approximately 7 to 10% of all motor vehicle-related collisions per year in Santa Clara County. However, between 2010 and 2012 pedestrian deaths from motor vehicle traffic collisions made up 26% of all motor vehicle traffic deaths. Over a five year period from 2007 to 2011, San Jose had the highest number of pedestrian-involved motor vehicle traffic collisions (1,583), nearly ten times the next two highest cities, Santa Clara (161) and Sunnyvale (148).
Likewise, San Jose had the highest number of bicyclist-involved motor vehicle traffic collisions between 2007 and 2011 with 1,635. This was followed by Palo Alto with 411 and Sunnyvale with 246. The percentage of emergency room visits for motor vehicle traffic collisions in which a bicyclist was involved was 24% in 2011.
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department Report demonstrates the increasing dangers associated with operating a motor vehicle. These dangers are increasing historically in Santa Clara County based on the statistics. If you or a loved one are a victim of the increasing dangers caused by motor vehicle accidents, contact one of the attorneys at the Piccuta Law Group, LLP today for a free consultation.
