The question “What is the leading cause of car accidents in California?” may have crossed your mind upon noticing the number of traffic collisions that occur or the reckless driving of certain motorists.
Speak with a Redondo Beach car accident attorney if you have been seriously injured and wish to recover your damages.
Traffic Collision Statistics in California
The California city (and county) with the highest number of traffic accidents in the last five years is Los Angeles, with an overall average of 1,890 crashes occurring each year that result in fatality or serious bodily injury; LA County is followed by San Diego County, with the city of San Diego seeing an average of 456 traffic collisions each year that cause the death or serious physical harm of at least one individual.
Across the entire state in the last three years, California has reported an annual average of 3,751 fatal car accidents, with 135 crashes caused by distracted driving, 1,003 involving alcohol intoxication, 542 traffic incidents in which a party was under the influence of drugs, and 1,079 accidents where at least one party was speeding.
Common Reasons for Car Accidents in California
It’s generally found that the most frequently reported cause of traffic accidents across California is distracted driving. Distracted driving is a broad term that may refer to numerous different circumstances in which the motorist was not properly paying attention to the road or the other vehicles around them. Distraction can come from mobile devices, adjusting the radio or interior temperature, reaching for something, conversations, daydreaming, being lost in thought, etc.
Other common reasons car collisions happen include speeding, reckless driving, and intoxicated driving. Speeding is one of the most influential factors in the amount of damage a car accident may cause, as it has the potential to increase the force of impact. The higher the speed, the more likely severe damage and injuries are to occur. Reckless driving also includes ignoring traffic laws, such as not yielding or not indicating when you’re changing lanes.
Intoxicated drivers are dangerous due to their reduced faculties and compromised ability to drive safely, meaning they’re less likely to react in time to obstructions or notice their surroundings. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are also more likely to not follow traffic laws and regulations as well as display additional reckless driving behaviors.
Fatalities and serious injuries of drivers, as well as passengers, are increased when individuals fail to wear seatbelts and are unrestrained during the force of impact within a crash. It should also be noted that driving while fatigued has been shown to impair a driver’s capacity to safely operate a vehicle, similar to someone intoxicated by alcohol or other substances. In addition to driver negligence, poor weather, and low lighting conditions are common causes of accidents.
Which Roads Have the Most Traffic Incidents in California?
Car accidents and other vehicle collisions are most likely to happen on frequently used roads and major highways, such as the interstate. Some of the state’s most dangerous roads for traffic incidents include I-5, the US-101, State Routes 99 and 78, and I-8.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Most Common Type of Car Collision in California?
A: Rear-end collisions are a common type of car collision in California. These accidents can range in severity, with some resulting in minor vehicle damage and others catastrophic damage, such as multi-vehicle accidents in which many cars are involved.
Rear-end collisions may occur for a variety of reasons, though many may result from distracted or speeding drivers. In the vast majority of cases, the rear driver is held liable for the accident except in certain circumstances (e.g., the front vehicle had malfunctioning brake lights).
Q: Which City in California Has the Most Car Accidents?
A: The city in California that has the highest average of car accidents on a yearly basis is Los Angeles. Over the last three years, the city is reported to have just under 2,000 traffic collisions on average that resulted in fatalities or serious injuries to the parties involved. Of these crashes, 659 crashes involved speeding, 266 included alcohol intoxication, and 136 collisions involved a motorist or passenger not wearing a seatbelt.
Q: Why Do So Many Traffic Collisions Occur in California?
A: There are many reasons that may contribute to California’s relatively high number of traffic accidents. California has a large population, so it’s understandable that where there are more people and, therefore, more motorists on the road, more accidents are likely to occur. Crashes are also more likely to happen in big cities— such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco —since traffic congestion is more common and a dense infrastructure can make accidents hard to avoid.
Q: What’s Included in a Car Accident Settlement in CA?
A: In California, settlements for victims injured in a car accident typically include the costs of medical treatment, including long-term care related to injury, loss of income, diminished capacity to earn future wages, and damaged or lost property. Settlements for traffic collisions also often include damages for pain and suffering. How much you may be awarded in compensation will depend on the severity of your injuries and whether you were at fault at all.
Q: Why Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?
A: While you are not legally required to hire a car accident attorney, it’s the ideal way to receive sufficient compensation and streamline the entire legal process. Your personal injury lawyer can handle all matters on your behalf, including filing paperwork, remembering deadlines, negotiating with insurance companies, and in court if litigation is needed. A lawyer can also provide you with regular updates about how your case is progressing while you take time to focus on recovering.
Get the Compensation You’re Entitled to With a Skilled Lawyer
At McLachlan Law, APC, a personal injury law firm, our professional accident attorney can ensure that your settlement is fair. Schedule a consultation with us today so we can discuss your experience and begin working on your case.