Bay Area commuters know highway traffic congestion all too well. In fact, the recent Urban Mobility Report released by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that commuters in the San Francisco-Oakland area spent more than 103 hours in traffic in 2017. This places the Bay Area the second-worst in the nation when it comes to traffic congestion.
Another study conducted in 2018, found that San Francisco ranked 5th in the world when it came to traffic congestion — followed by Moscow, New York City and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"It’s almost unbearable. And it doesn’t matter what time of day or what day of the week. It’s just unbearable," said one Bay Area commuter.
We know that bumper-to-bumper traffic congestion is common in the Bay Area, as well as many other parts of California. What about the crash risks that come with the traffic jams commuters endure on a daily basis?
The conditions that can fuel road rage
To some degree, all drivers get annoyed or angry behind the wheel, but a small handful of drivers actually take their rage to the point of vehicular violence. The Archives of General Psychiatry says that these individuals suffer from a condition called intermittent explosive disorder (IED) — which affects about seven percent of the population. These are the same individuals who attack other drivers violently, ram into other vehicles or try to run other drivers off the road.
Traffic congestion often creates the conditions that fuel this type of behavior. Drivers who engage in road rage also often become impatient and engage in aggressive driving. When traffic is backed up, they may include cutting off other drivers and weaving in and out of traffic.
Rear-end collisions are more likely in heavy traffic
Rear-end collisions often occur in bumper-to-bumper traffic, particularly when drivers aren't attentive or are behaving recklessly. Distracted driving is usually the cause of rear-end collisions, but drunk driving, speeding, and drowsy driving are also common factors.
Even at low impact, drivers who are struck in rear-end collisions can sustain injuries. The most common injury in a rear-end collision is whiplash. It occurs when the impact of a crash causes a person's neck to rapidly jerk forward and backward in a whip-like motion. Symptoms may not appear immediately after a crash, but once they start to set in, they can be devastating.
Whiplash symptoms may include:
- Neck tension and stiffness
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Reduced mobility in the neck
- Dizziness and confusion
- Disorientation
- Pain in limbs
- Changes in mood
That's why in any type of crash, motorists should seek immediate medical attention, even if they feel fine. A medical evaluation can uncover a potentially debilitating condition that could require extensive medical treatment and time away from work. This can be costly and emotionally taxing.
That's where the car accident attorneys at Clancy & Diaz, LLP come in. We have a reputation for fighting for the rights of injured motorists in Walnut Creek, California and the Bay Area. Schedule your free case evaluation with us today by contacting us online.