Throughout 2022, more than 52,000 car accidents occurred in Los Angeles. This works out to roughly 1,000 per week and more than 140 per day. A few of the most common causes of car accidents in Los Angeles include speeding, distracted driving, reckless driving, and traffic violations like illegal turns and failure to yield the right-of-way.
By a wide margin, Los Angeles County has the highest county wide vehicle accident rate in the state of California. The Los Angeles metropolitan area is notoriously difficult and dangerous for drivers, especially those visiting the area who are unfamiliar with local traffic patterns. In Los Angeles, the most prevalent causes of car accidents are:
Driver Negligence: Unquestionably, driver negligence stands out as the top reason for car accidents. In fact, national research indicates that roughly 94% of all car accidents in the country stem from human errors,so this is not a problem in Los Angeles alone.
Some prevalent types of driver mistakes that lead to car accidents encompass:
- Impaired driving- meaning drunk or drugged driving, significantly elevating the risk of a collision by at least fourfold.
- Distracted driving- which adversely affects drivers in a manner akin to alcohol impairment, creating perception issues and delayed reaction times.
- Fatigued driving- primarily affecting commercial drivers, particularly those working under tight schedules.
- Aggressive driving- which includes behaviors like tailgating, abrupt lane changes, and excessive speeding.
- Careless or reckless driving- this entails violations of traffic safety regulations.
According to the most recently available accident data, speeding is the top contributing factor to the number of motor vehicle accidents in the state each year. Whenever a driver exceeds the speed limit, they reduce the time and space they would have to slow down or stop to avoid a collision. If a driver excessively speeds, they are likely to face a reckless driving charge in addition to liability for any damages they inflict on others.
Roadway Conditions: Insufficient traffic signs, malfunctioning intersection signals, faded or missing lane markers, and a lack of guardrails can all contribute to subpar roadway conditions and car accidents. In such instances, the responsible party for constructing and maintaining the road may be held liable, often involving government entities where shorter deadlines may apply.
Weather Conditions: Severe weather conditions like heavy rain and other adverse climate events frequently contribute to car accidents.
Contact 1-800-Injured to Move Forward
There is no legal requirement to hire an attorney after a car accident in Los Angeles, and you can attempt your recovery efforts yourself. This is not a good idea, though. Hiring legal counsel that you can trust will not only make your recovery efforts easier to manage but also more likely to generate maximum compensation for your damages. Your attorney can handle your legal affairs while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Realistically, pursuing a personal injury claim requires legal representation to navigate the complexities of the legal system. Contact 1-800-Injured, a medical and legal referral network, to connect with experienced professionals who can help you with your unique personal injury needs.