With high numbers of car accidents in our state, many of which involve serious or fatal injuries, state and federal agencies pay a lot of attention to the question: What is the main cause of car accidents in California? There are some common factors that affect the majority of crashes. But if you need advice on your particular situation, a consultation with the experienced Sacramento car accident attorneys at Ewing Law Group, PC can help.
California is a large state in terms of size and in terms of population, with a wide variety of climates and conditions and an extensive network of interstate and state highways. That means a lot of cars on the road and, unfortunately, a lot of car accidents. Here is some key information about auto traffic in California:
Some accidents are caused by completely unpredictable elements like adverse weather, vehicle mechanical failure, or an animal running into the road and the driver simply doesn’t have the ability to stop in time. However, the main cause of car accidents in California – and in the United States overall – is driver error.
No one wants to be in a traffic accident. Most drivers try to be careful and attentive, but it’s common for drivers to occasionally fail to notice or respond appropriately to circumstances, leading to a car crash. Driver error can include many different kinds of behaviors, like making the wrong decision in dealing with an external element, making a mistake in handling their vehicle, or not recognizing a dangerous situation.
Safe driving includes paying attention to multiple factors at once, including other vehicles, road conditions, pedestrians, traffic signs, and signals, and then responding to all the factors while following traffic rules and laws. This takes a lot of mental focus, as well as keeping eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel. When a driver fails to do even one of these, an accident may occur. Many accidents are caused by some common driver errors.
Distracted driving is a big problem for drivers. It includes anything that takes the driver’s full attention from the road, such as eating, grooming, other passengers, pets, or even daydreaming. But most driver distraction comes from technology: cell phones, GPS, car stereos, etc. Using technology while driving takes eyes, hands, and mental focus off the more important task at hand: driving.
When a driver is impaired, their vision, coordination, reaction time, and ability to make timely and appropriate driving decisions are compromised. Impairment can be from the use of alcohol, street drugs, and in some cases, prescription medications. However, fatigue can have a similar effect on the body, and some medical events like seizures or heart attacks can cause a driver to suddenly become incapable of safely operating their vehicle.
Another major factor in car accidents is speeding. Speeding can be driving faster than the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions, especially in bad weather, construction areas, or other areas that require more attention. Driving faster reduces a driver’s reaction time dramatically, the time and distance a car needs to stop, and the effectiveness of guardrails and other safety structures.
The safest way to drive is defensively, which means the driver is consciously trying to reduce risk while operating their vehicle. However, sometimes drivers make decisions to drive in ways that are more likely to cause accidents, like improper passing, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, blocking other vehicles trying to change lanes, or cutting off other drivers. This kind of behavior has also been linked to road rage, which sometimes leads to dangerous confrontations.
A: Yes, bad weather like rain, ice, snow, or high winds can lead to car accidents. However, each accident has unique circumstances, so the driver may still have some liability, depending on factors like reckless driving or negligence. Sometimes, traffic signs or road conditions like potholes may also contribute to the accident.
A: In California, the blood alcohol limit is 0.08% for most drivers. For drivers under 21 or those who are on probation after a DUI conviction, the limit is 0.01%, and the limit is 0.04% for commercial license holders, like truck drivers and some rideshare drivers. It is also important to note that even if your blood alcohol concentration is under the legal limit, you may still be too impaired to drive safely.
A: If a mechanical failure in your vehicle causes an accident, you might be assigned full or partial fault, depending on the circumstances. If you knew about the problem and didn’t repair it or the failure was caused by lack of maintenance, you may be at fault. However, if a mechanic repaired something improperly or there was a defect in manufacturing, they may have some liability.
A: California uses the comparative fault model, which means each party in a car accident may be assigned some percentage of fault by the law enforcement officer at the scene. All parties are entitled to recover damages according to their assigned percentage. So, if a driver is assigned 35% fault for an accident, they can recover 65% damages in compensation.
Ewing Law Group, PC has more than 20 years of combined experience in California representing thousands of clients in cases like car accidents, personal injury, and more. We provide each client with the personal attention they deserve and work fiercely to get the most timely, favorable results possible. Contact Ewing Law Group today to discuss our affordable rates and quick turnaround times.
