Founder and Managing Partner
When you are trying to get to your destination, it can seem as if 80 percent of all the cars in America are in southern California. It is common to see crashes in Los Angeles during the daily commute. Many of those collisions are preventable.
The answer to the question of what are the main causes of car accidents in Los Angeles is not surprising. A California car accident attorney can help you seek the compensation you deserve if you get hurt in a crash that was someone else’s fault.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
When there are too many people trying to get somewhere, there will be delays. Some people do not allow enough time to get to work or appointments on time, so when the traffic is heavy, they try to force their way through the congestion by tailgating other drivers. Following people too closely increases the risk of a collision because the driver in the back might not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. Aggressive driving causes many accidents in Los Angeles.
During the intervals when the road opens up and traffic is moving again, many drivers try to make up for the time they lost during road delays by speeding. Driving over the speed limit or even within the posted speed limit but too fast for the circumstances can cause collisions.
Highway Construction
You cannot drive far in Los Angeles without encountering road construction. With so many people on the road, there is no convenient time to perform necessary maintenance and improvements to our streets. Unfortunately, road construction is a common cause of car accidents in our city. Lanes get closed for road work, forcing drivers to merge into other lanes. These bottlenecks cause more delays and frustration for those behind the wheel.
Frustrated drivers can become reckless and angry, making unwise choices and leading to collisions. Also, when people do not devote their full attention to the task of driving, they can get surprised by sudden slowdowns and lane closures, and end up in crashes.
Distracted Driving
You would think that in a challenging place to drive like Los Angeles, people would pay better attention to navigating through the traffic, but sadly, some people do not appreciate the seriousness of driving. They talk or text on their phones, eat and drink, apply makeup, change clothes, pick things up from the floor of the vehicle, change the radio station, use their GPS app, and countless other activities that divert their eyes and attention from the road. Distracted driving is a leading cause of collisions in Los Angeles.
Drugs and Alcohol
People who operate motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs often cause crashes in LA. It does not matter whether the person took prescription medication, over-the-counter cold or allergy pills, legal cannabis, or illegal street drugs. Also, a person does not have to be stumbling drunk to have impairment from alcohol. “Buzzed” driving can slow the reflexes enough to cause a collision. If you get hurt in a car accident in Los Angeles or the surrounding area caused by one of these or other factors, you will want to talk to a California personal injury attorney right away, while you can still take legal action against the party who caused the crash that hurt you. Avoid losing valuable time by getting in touch with our office today for a free consultation.