[10-02-2021] Contra Costa County, CA – Three People Killed, 2 Minor Injury In Two Contra Costa County Car Collisions

Three people were killed Saturday morning in two crashes in Contra Costa County, October 2.

The tragic accident was reported sometime after 6:30 a.m. on eastbound State Route 4 near Martinez, east of McEwen Road. According to the California Highway Patrol, a blue SUV off the road, slid down an embankment, and collided with a tree.

The car’s two passengers were not wearing seatbelts and were killed instantly. The driver was wearing a seatbelt and sustained only minor injuries. In a separate Saturday morning crash on San Pablo Dam Road near El Sobrante, a second person died and another was critically injured.

The CHP reported that the two car collision occurred around 11:15 a.m. north of Bear Creek Road. A red Toyota Tacoma was heading north with one person when it collided with a white Honda Civic traveling south with three passengers. The Honda apparently lost control of the vehicle while driving on the shoulder to overtake traffic, crossed into the northbound lane, and slammed into the Toyota.

The Honda passenger in the backseat was found unresponsive on the scene.  The Honda’s driver was seriously injured, but the front-seat passenger was only slightly hurt. The Toyota’s driver escaped with only minor injuries. Both collisions are being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

Fatal Car Accident Statistics

The global epidemic of road crash fatalities and disabilities is gradually being recognized as a major public health concern. More than 38,000 people die every year in crashes on U.S. roadways. The U.S. traffic fatality rate is 12.4 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

In 2020, the state of California reported around 3,723 motor-vehicle deaths, a slight increase from the year before. The majority of deaths from motor vehicles in California involve passenger cars, with light trucks and then motorcycles accounting for a smaller portion of such deaths. Death from motor-vehicles remains a relevant problem across the United States.

In the United States, a person’s lifetime odds of dying in a motor vehicle accident is around 1 in 107. Death rates from motor vehicles have decreased in recent years and are significantly lower than the rates recorded in the 1970s and 1980s. This is due to a mass improvement in car safety standards and features. For example, most states now have laws against not wearing safety belts.

Contra Costa County Wrongful Death Attorney For Victim of Fatal Car Collision

Our wrongful death lawyer in California, Arash Law, will fight for you. If you have lost a loved one in an automobile accident caused by a careless driver, we empathize. To receive compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice, call (888) 488-1391. When you call, we’ll go over the specifics of your loss and figure out the best course of action. Visit us on our website.