Common Types of Car Accidents in California (2024)

Surprisingly, California is on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of how many car accidents occur annually by state, but Los Angeles County does have the greatest number of car accidents in California. In fact, about 700 people die each year in the estimated 4,700 car accidents that occur in Los Angeles annually. While this may be a small portion of the nearly 200,000 reported accidents that result in injuries in the entire state per year, and the more than annual 4,200 deaths, it’s still a tragic amount of people who are killed on California roads each year.

To potentially lessen the number of deaths that occur each year in our city and state, it may be constructive to focus on the most common causes of car accidents. This can allow you to take steps to avoid the behaviors that result in the most accidents. To do this, it is important to know what causes the most accidents in Los Angeles County and California as a whole. Below are the leading causes of California accidents that result in death:

• Speeding – Driving above the legal speed limit, or driving too fast to safely navigate road conditions or lawfully obey traffic signals and signage, is the main cause of traffic-related fatalities in the state, whether the deaths occur from car accidents or cars hitting pedestrians and cyclists.
• Distracted Driving – Drivers are most notably distracted by mobile devices like cell phones and other electronics, but distracted driving can be the result of:
  • Changing the radio station
  • Looking for something in the floorboard that dropped while driving
  • Eating
  • Applying makeup
  • Talking to a passenger
  • Looking at the driver in the next lane
  • Tending to children in the backseat

  Anytime a driver looks away from the road or takes their hands off the wheel, they are distracted from their driving.

• Impaired Driving – Everyone knows that driving while under the influence is very dangerous. If you get behind the wheel of a car while you are drunk or under the influence of drugs, you take a big risk of not making it home alive and/or killing someone else on the way.
• Aggressive Driving – Road rage is something we all have experienced, but we can learn to control it for the sake of our own lives and those we love. Some drivers drive aggressively without road rage, taking an entitlement with them when they get behind the wheel. This is dangerous because driving is something that should be carried out carefully and consciously in regard to our own safety and the safety of all the other passengers, drivers, and pedestrians on the roadways.
• Drowsy Driving – If you get drowsy while driving, or if you were drowsy when you got behind the wheel, you should not continue operating your vehicle. Pulling over is the responsible thing to do, whether you have to get out and take a walk to wake up, get a coffee or energy drink, or call someone to drive you the rest of the way. Driving while drowsy is not worth risking anyone’s life, including your own, no matter how important it is that you reach your destination.

When someone is injured by another driver’s carelessness on the road, they are entitled to compensation for their injuries, including pain and suffering. If this happened to you because of another driver, it may be frustrating to know that the accident could have been avoided. While it can’t be undone, justice can be served by holding the at-fault party responsible and recovering damages via a personal injury claim.

To optimize the potential settlement outcome of a case involving an injury that was incurred in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, hiring an experienced Car Accident Attorney in Beverly Hills, CA, is ideal for maximizing your settlement award. Car accident lawyers know how to talk to insurance adjusters and negotiate with them to get the maximum amount they’re willing to pay for a claim. It is important to wait for your lawyer before discussing your case with the insurance companies because their first offer is always their lowest.

FAQs About Common Types of Car Accidents in California

What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents in California?

Accidents in California occur most commonly when motorists speed. This is a bad habit of California drivers, and speeding has become the norm to keep up with other traffic. There are several other common causes of accidents, which include:

• Distracted driving
• Impaired driving
• Aggressive driving
• Hit and Runs
• Drowsy driving
• Hazardous road conditions

What Is the Most Common Type of Vehicle Involved in an Accident?

The most common type of vehicle involved in an accident is a Mitsubishi Mirage, followed by the Chevrolet Corvette, Honda Fit, Kia Forte, and Chevrolet Spark. Sports cars and subcompact vehicles prove to be the deadliest cars on the road. Sports cars prioritize speed over safety, and the economic design of subcompact cars leaves out many safety features that other cars have.

What Is the Leading Cause of Traffic Collisions in California?

While distracted driving, including using cell phones and other mobile devices, along with other distracting behaviors that drivers often partake in while behind the wheel, causes the most accidents in California, speeding causes the most fatal accidents. Fortunately, both are easily avoidable through more conscious driving efforts by motorists.

What Are 90% of Car Accidents Caused By?

More than 90%, in fact, 94% of all accidents involving vehicles are due to human error. If you look at the causes of accidents, you can see that there’s only one that is unavoidable by humans:

• Speeding
• Impaired driving
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Aggressive driving
• Hazardous road conditions

The last of these is the only factor that human motorists can’t avoid.

Seeking Legal Assistance From a Beverly Hills Car Accident Attorney

If you’re looking for a reliable and honest car accident attorney in Beverly Hills, CA, contact Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, to discuss your personal injury car accident case. Our knowledgeable and experienced legal team can work diligently with you to obtain compensation for your injury. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we can do the same for you.