California has a reputation for reckless drivers. Drivers who speed down the highway. Freeway backups. Driving under the influence. These are all common reasons these accidents happen. These are preventable. It’s important to seek legal advice. This can help to recover losses. Losses as a result of the accident. This should happen after an accident. Work with a car accident lawyer to do so.

A Detailed California Car Accident Statistic:

If you’re driving down US Route 101 or Highway 395, you’ve seen accidents happen. Drivers often are rushed. They are trying to get from one area to the next. Drivers aren’t always paying attention. They don’t know what’s going on in front of them. That’s a problem.

Consider the traffic accidents in California. They are common. In 2023, 40,901 people died. They died from motor vehicle crashes. This was across the United States. Of them, over 3,600 occurred in California. Nearly 250,000 people suffered injuries as a result of accidents in the state. It’s a very big concern.

Those numbers keep rising. Look back over the last ten years. These numbers are shocking. Nearly 40,000 people have lost their lives in car accidents. This is just in California. Over two million have had injuries. It’s devastating to all victims involved. The financial losses are hard to estimate.

What Are the Top 10 Causes of Car Accidents in California?

We see accidents happen for so many reasons. Most are avoidable. They didn’t have to happen to you. Consider these top car accident causes in California. They put you at risk for preventable reasons.

Distracted Driving:

Distraction behind the wheel happens. This is when drivers pay attention to anything but the road. A big reason is smartphones. Texting and emailing. Using navigational devices. Just daydreaming puts others at risk. Statistics make it clear this is a huge problem. The California Office of Traffic Safety says 80% of crashes involve some level of distraction.

Distraction can involve many forms. Eating and drinking are common. Applying makeup is a problem. Watching podcasts is distracting. Drivers who do activities like this put everyone else at risk. It is all avoidable and unlawful.

Speeding:

Speeding increases the risk of accidents in nearly all situations. California’s high speed highways are highly vulnerable to speeding. At high rates of speed, drivers can lose control quickly. They also need more time to react to changing conditions. You just don’t have that when you speed.

Speeding is very common. When an accident happens at a high rate of speed, the risk of serious injury is high. Life-threatening outcomes are very common. Speeding may seem like no big deal. Many people travel at rates higher than the posted limit. There is always an increased risk in doing so.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol:

Driving under the influence of alcohol is very risky. A driver under the influence is unable to react to changing road conditions quickly. That means if a car enters an intersection or a light turns red, the driver may not take corrective actions.

Alcohol dulls the senses. It makes it harder to focus on roadways. This increases the risk of serious injuries. These accidents often happen at high rates of speed as well. It’s illegal to operate above the legal blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs:

This is another area of impairment that comprehensively puts people at risk. Drugs can include illicit products, cannabis, or prescription medications that alter a person’s state of mind. It can include using any type of substance that makes it hard to focus on the road. Some medications even make a person tired.

Drugs impair your ability to make good decisions. This is very true on the road. That puts victims at risk. This could lead to a driver failing to yield the right of way.

Driving Aggressively:

Aggressive driving refers to any type of action that is intentional and puts others at risk. It goes beyond reckless driving. These drivers are engaging in highly reckless behaviors. That may include tailgating the driver in front of them. It may mean cutting off drivers or weaving in and out of traffic. Drivers may even try to force others off the road.

Aggressive driving is illegal. It often carries a risk of intentional action. When accidents happen resulting from aggressive driving, they are often deadly or cause serious injury. They are also fully avoidable.

Fatigued Driving:

Being tired can be dangerous when driving. It can be as bad as being intoxicated. A tired driver cannot focus on the roadway. They may swerve in and out of lanes. Sometimes they may even fall asleep for even fractions of a second. That’s long enough to cause serious injuries in accidents.

Fatigued driving may not seem like taking a risk. What many don’t realize is just how damaging these accidents can be. Becoming suddenly alert at the last second often means drivers strike at a high rate of speed. Being tired could put people at risk.

Illegal Driving Maneuvers and Traffic Laws and Signal Violations:

Some of the worst accidents happen for the simplest of reasons. A person runs a red light. Someone fails to stop at a stop sign before turning. These simple mistakes can cause serious injuries to victims.

It takes just a few moments for drivers to cause serious injuries. A driver fails to stop at a light and tries to beat the red light. They crash into another driver with the right of way. These types of T-bone accidents at intersections are highly dangerous. And they are fully avoidable.

Bad Weather Conditions:

Drivers may have to drive through heavy rain. High winds may be a factor. Up north, snow and ice can be factors. Bad weather often contributes to accidents.

But there’s limits here. Drivers must make the right decision. If it’s too bad outside to drive safely, you should not do so. Drivers must also adjust to avoid causing accidents to others.

Car Defects and Mechanical Failures:

Tire blowouts and brake failures often lead to accidents. These can be common causes. A car suddenly stops working due to a transmission failure. That causes an accident at an intersection. Or a driver loses control when a tire blows.

These cases may be the fault of the manufacturer of the vehicle or part. They may also be the fault of the owner who failed to maintain the vehicle. Sometimes a mechanic makes a mistake.

Driver Inexperience:

A young driver behind the wheel of a car is more likely to cause an accident. More likely than a more experienced driver. That doesn’t create an excuse. It simply means that these drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents.

Inexperience can also relate to poor weather conditions. A driver with no experience may not know how to navigate tricky three-way stops. Some may not know what to do. This is often when they suffer an accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident in California:

When an accident happens you need to react. You need to know what to do. You can control the outcome of these cases. Do this by taking the right actions at these critical times. Here’s how to handle an accident.

Then, contact a personal injury attorney. Don’t wait. Your lawyer can help you immediately.

Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries People Suffer in California:

Accidents cause serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries include:

1. Whiplash.
2. Traumatic brain injuries including concussions.
3. Neck and back injuries.
4. Spinal cord injuries.
5. Broken bones including complex fractures.
6. Internal bleeding including damage to organs.
7. Lacerations causing nerve and muscle damage.
8. Burns from chemical exposure or fire.
9. Disfigurement from scarring.
10. Amputations.

10 Safety Tips for Car Driving in California’s Busy Highways:

You’re hurt. It’s all because of the actions of others. You can’t control other drivers. You can control what happens to you. We can help. Follow these tips to be just a bit safer.

1. Drive the speed limit. It’s that easy to avoid most accidents. Why? Because you have more control over your vehicle.
2. Seatbelts are essential. This protects your life.
3. Avoid driving in the left lane. That’s just for passing. It can reduce your risks considerably.
4. Use turn signals. Again, it’s simple. It’s also a clear way to provide you the right of way.
5. Don’t drive tired. Take a nap first if you can. Avoid driving late at night.
6. Take it easy entering intersections. Assume someone will try to run the light.
7. Pay attention to drivers around you. Focus on what they are doing. Not just one what you do.
8. Always have both hands on the wheel. Doing this provides more control.
9. Maximize your visibility. Keep windows clear.
10. Avoid any distractions.

Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident in California:

The first priority should always be safety. Then hire an attorney. Your attorney gives you the resources possible to fight back when someone hurts you. With our legal team at Ledger Law, you gain access to a trusted professional. We’re here to help you.

Consult with Our Car Accident Attorneys At Ledger Law

Set up a consultation with our legal team now. Let us offer insight into your options. We’re headed by a nationally recognized injury attorney, Emery Ledger. Let us help you receive compensation for your rights. Focus on healing. Let us focus on getting justice.

Conclusion:

Accidents happen. They occur for many reasons. But you have legal options. Let us help you. Set up a consultation to discuss your case with our personal injury attorney. Let us protect your future. Request a free consultation now. There’s no risk. But there are resources.