What are the Five Most Common Causes of Car Accidents on Highway 17?

What are the Five Most Common Causes of Car Accidents on Highway 17?

Highway 17 is an accident-prone road linking the South Bay Area to Santa Cruz. Collisions on Highway 17 rose 34 percent from 2015 to 2016, according to last year’s The Mercury News. Crash statistics for 2017 will be released later this year by the “Safe on 17 Task Force and Traffic Operations System Committee”;  we expect these to be just as bad or worse. Highway 17 is a dangerous road for drivers in California. Common causes of car accidents on this highway include:

1. Speeding. A recent Mercury News article discussed why speeding is a major contributor to accidents on Highway 17. According to the article, many motorists crash because they are speeding or driving aggressively.
2. Distracted driving. The “Safe on 17 Task Force” identified distracted driving as a potential cause of wrecks. More people are using mobile phones and vehicle navigation systems.
3. Unsafe lane changes and tailgating. The “Safe on 17 2016” report maintains that unsafe lane changes and tailgating are probable causes of wrecks on this highway.
4. Weather. Weather conditions are a primary cause of accidents on this highway, especially when drivers speed. According to The Mercury News article, crash data for 2017 could be worse than 2016 because of last year’s mudslides and heavy rain.
5. Impaired driving. Motorists under the influence of alcohol or drugs are responsible for some wrecks. Our attorneys have experience representing victims of drunk driving wrecks on Highway 17.

Can I Recover Compensation After a Car Accident on Highway 17?

The Bay Area car accident attorneys at Golden State Lawyers can determine possible options for recovering compensation after a wreck on Highway 17. We offer free consultations to explain your legal options to you. To reach us, you may call (408) 279-4222 or you can fill out our confidential online case review form. We take car accident cases in San Jose, Livermore, Los Gatos, Fremont, Cupertino, Campbell, Palo Alto, Pleasanton, Santa Cruz and the surrounding Bay areas.