What Is the Most Common Cause of Car Accidents in California?

Distracted driving consistently ranks as the most commonly reported cause of all motor vehicle accidents in California and across the United States each year. Cell phone use specifically is responsible for most of the accidents in the state, despite the fact that California has banned the use of cell phones while driving without the use of hands-free devices.

What Is the Most Reliable Way to Avoid Car Accidents in California?

Defensive driving is a great method for reducing your risk of causing a car accident. This entails maintaining situational awareness, abiding by traffic signs and signals, and disengaging from dangerous situations safely. While many accidents can occur due to the unpredictable actions of others while driving, you can take steps to reduce your own risk of causing an accident.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

Your personal well-being should be your first concern after a car accident, so check yourself for injuries and do not move if you are severely injured. Next, make sure the accident has been reported to 911 and wait for first responders. Once you are allowed to leave, seek medical care immediately, even if you think you only sustained minor injuries. After addressing your medical needs, reach out to legal counsel you can trust to help you recover your damages.

What Happens if a Car Accident Causes a Fatal Injury?

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you likely have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the driver who caused the accident. This type of civil suit is very similar to a personal injury claim with some unique differences, and it is vital to have an experienced attorney assist you with this emotionally challenging case.

Do I Need to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?

If your accident only resulted in minor vehicle damage, it’s possible to resolve the issue on your own through insurance. However, if you suffered any serious injuries, if your damages exceed available insurance coverage, or if the driver at fault contests liability, you will need to have an attorney assist you in resolving these issues. Therefore, it’s always worth investing in legal counsel you can trust if you want to recover as fully as possible from your accident.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics [2024 Updated]

Los Angeles is one of the largest and busiest metropolitan areas in the United States, and driving in the area is notoriously difficult and stressful for many drivers. Each year, Los Angeles County tops the list for the number of countywide accidents reported. This means that statistically, Los Angeles is the most dangerous area in the state when it comes to your risk of having a car accident.

If you or a family member experience a car accident in Los Angeles, it is crucial to know your rights and your options for recovering your losses. The right attorney can help identify the party responsible for the damages and maximize your compensation. Before you can recover compensation for your losses, you are required to prove fault for the accident and identify the driver who caused it.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Los Angeles

A car accident can happen unexpectedly in various ways. California enforces the fault rule, meaning you are required to prove another driver directly caused your accident before you can hold them accountable for the damages you experienced from it. According to the most recent accident statistics for Los Angeles County, Some common causes of car accidents that generate insurance claims and civil suits include:

Inattentive and distracted driving. Throughout the United States, this is the most common cause of all motor vehicle accidents. This type of accident can happen even if a driver is not paying attention for just a few seconds. When a driver is not paying full attention to the road and their surroundings, they put themselves as well as others at risk.
Drunk or drugged driving. It is not legal for anyone to drive a vehicle while intoxicated by any substance, but driving under the influence (DUI) continues to be a major contributing factor to the car accident rate in Los Angeles each year. The at-fault driver faces not only liability for damages they cause to others with their impaired driving but also criminal penalties like fines, a suspended driver’s license, and jail time.
Posted speed limits are not suggestions, but it is relatively common to see drivers in the Los Angeles area exceeding the speed limit. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react to sudden changes in traffic or road hazards. Accidents that happen at high speeds have a higher chance of resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Reckless driving. Unfortunately, some drivers engage in willfully dangerous misconduct behind the wheel. Excessive speeding, tailgating, improper lane changes, and aggressive driving are common examples seen in Los Angeles that can easily result in devastating crashes.

These are only a few of the reasons accidents happen in Los Angeles each year. These incidents cost the state billions in damages, and despite numerous laws in place designed to curb traffic accidents and related injuries and fatalities, every driver faces numerous risks every time they drive on Los Angeles roads. If you experience an accident in the area due to the actions of another motorist, it is crucial to reach out to legal counsel you can trust to help you recover.

FAQs

Q: How Common Are Car Accidents in Los Angeles?

A: Los Angeles is the most densely populated area of the state and, as such, has one of the highest accident rates in the state. Some of the most recently available accident reports for Los Angeles County show that there is roughly one traffic fatality every 30 hours in Los Angeles. The rate of injuries is even higher. Ultimately, the risk of an accident is much higher in Los Angeles than in most other areas of the state.

Q: How Many Car Accidents Happen Per Day in Los Angeles?

A: Various agencies report that roughly 1,500 accidents happen throughout the state every day. When it comes to the Los Angeles area, it is important to define the scope of accidents considered to determine the number of crashes in the area daily. When accounting for accidents resulting in severe or fatal injuries, there are more than 160 per day in Los Angeles, highlighting the severity of the traffic problems in the area.

Q: What Happens if a Car Accident Is Fatal in Los Angeles?

A: If you lost a family member in a fatal car accident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for causing the accident. If you are unsure how to proceed with this type of case, it is crucial to consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible. There are specific rules for wrongful death claims in the state, and having legal counsel you can trust is an invaluable asset for navigating this type of case effectively.

Q: What Happens if an At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Car Insurance?

A: California law requires every driver to have auto insurance, but the state consistently reports one of the highest uninsured motorist rates in the country. If you are hurt in an accident, and the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you can file a claim against your own insurance policy if you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage. If not, you would have the right to proceed with a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Los Angeles?

A: If you need legal representation to help you with your recovery efforts after a car accident in Los Angeles, the team at Easton & Easton will not add to your financial troubles with exorbitant legal fees. We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we only charge you a fee for representation if we win your case, and the fee you pay is a percentage of the total amount we recover on your behalf. There is no fee at all if we cannot obtain compensation for your damages, so there is no risk in hiring our team to represent you.

The attorneys at Easton & Easton have successfully represented many car accident claims in Los Angeles, and we are ready to apply this professional experience to your case. If you would like to know how our team can assist you with your recovery after an accident, contact us now and set up a consultation with an attorney you can trust.