What Are the Common Causes of Fresno Automobile Accidents?

An automobile accident can change your life forever in an instant. Fresno automobile accident attorney Jacob J. Rivas has been a personal injury litigator for his entire legal career. Mr. Rivas knows the devastation that automobile accidents can cause, and believes that a better understanding of the various causes of traffic accidents might help avoid future accidents.

Fresno is the tenth most populous county in California. Given its population, perhaps the number of automobile accidents resulting in traffic fatalities is not surprising. The causes of those fatal automobile accidents are varied.

Tragically, roughly 41% of the traffic fatalities in Fresno County in 2007 were caused by driving under the influence and sadly, the number of DUI fatalities is increasing. Speeding caused nearly 10% of all fatal accidents. Drivers who made an improper turn were involved in 16% of automobile accidents, and drivers who ignored traffic signals were involved in nearly 12% of accidents. Drivers on the wrong side of the road and drivers who failed to observe the right of way both were involved in almost 4% of the fatalities. (Drivers in each case may not have been the fatality.)

Non-fatal injuries share the same causes. One of the primary causes of non-fatal automobile accidents is driver distraction. In an age of cell phones, portable music players, drive-through restaurants, and multi-tasking, drivers have more distractions than ever before. For more information, review Mr. Rivas’ accident litigation page and common accident injuries.

Despite efforts to educate and inform the public of these dangers, driving under the influence remains a major cause of automobile accidents. If you are drinking, do not drive; if you are with someone who is drinking, do not let that person take the wheel. For more information, review Mr. Rivas’ page on driver responsibility.

Speeding and otherwise driving inappropriately for existing weather conditions are also significant causes of Fresno automobile accidents. Slowing down and being aware of the dangers posed by wet, icy, or foggy roads could dramatically reduce traffic injuries. For more information, review Mr. Rivas’ page on what to do after an accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Fresno automobile accident, or if a loved one has died as the result of an accident, contact the Law Office of Jacob J. Rivas today at Phone: 559-263-9667 or toll free at for a free initial consultation, or contact us online. Let us help you.