Car accident statistics make clear that driving in California can be life-threatening. This is true even under ideal conditions, when drivers are focused and when roadways are in good condition. The risk of an auto accident increases significantly with adverse driver behavior or road conditions. Car accidents are mostly avoidable and the cause, in most cases, is human error.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, whether it’s a car or motorcycle accident, tractor trailer wreck, or ATV injury, call our Irvine and Riverside California car accident lawyers at 1.888.333.5009 or contact us online. Avrek Law Firm, represents clients throughout Orange County and Riverside County. We will provide you with a free, no-obligation initial consultation and answer any questions you might have.

Top Causes of California Car Accidents in Irvine & Riverside

Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States. Every year approximately 30,000 Americans lose their lives in traffic accidents, and more than two million are injured.

In California alone there were 2,739 persons killed and 229,354 persons injured in auto crashes in 2010. That same year Orange and Riverside Counties collectively saw nearly 300 fatal accidents and more than 20,000 accidents resulting in injury.

Distracted Driving the Main Culprit of Auto Accidents in California

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that drivers make more than 200 decisions per mile traveled. Making the correct decision in every instance requires a driver’s full attention. Unfortunately, the growing use of handheld digital devices, including iPhones, Androids and other smartphones, creates more distractions today than ever before.

A groundbreaking study published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2006 found that driver inattention was the leading factor in most crashes and near-crashes. According to the research, 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve a distracted driver. The specific distracted driving behaviors that most often contribute to car wrecks are:

• Cell phone use
• Reaching for a moving object within the vehicle
• Looking at something outside of the vehicle
• Reading
• Applying makeup

While it is illegal in California to use a handheld cell phone or to text while driving, many people continue to engage in these behaviors. Public perception is that texting while driving—blamed for 1,600,000 accidents per year—is a teenage problem, but adults are actually more likely to text and drive than teens. Regardless of who texts and drives, it’s extremely dangerous. Studies show that texting while driving is six times as dangerous as drunk driving.

The use of a hands-free phone, permitted for drivers over the age of 18 in California, is thought to alleviate the risk associated with cell phone use. While this is true to some extent, hands-free devices do not eliminate cognitive distraction, as talking while driving leads to so-called “inattention blindness.”

Other Causes of Car Crashes in California

Distracted driving is the main cause of car accidents, but certainly not the only one. Other leading causes include:

• DUI/DWI: Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs and alcohol slows reaction times and impairs driving. Drunk driving is strongly correlated with fatal car accidents. Approximately 30 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities are alcohol-related. California lost 972 people to drunk driving in 2010 and an additional 17,000 were injured by alcohol involved collisions.
• Drowsy driving: Driving while sleep deprived is nearly as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. The NHTSA estimates that 100,000 motor vehicle crashes per year are the result of driver fatigue.
• Speeding: Speed is a factor in about 1 out of 3 fatal crashes, according to the NHTSA, making it the third leading factor in traffic accidents.
• Roadway conditions: Snow, ice, and other adverse weather make driving more dangerous, especially when drivers are acting in the ways described above. The roadway itself, moreover, can increase accidents. Issues such as potholes, uneven pavement, signage problems, and poor road design make crashes more likely.

Avrek Law’s California Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready To Take Your Case

If You Want To Recover Compensation For Your Car Crash Injuries You Need a Top Personal Injury Attorney

The people injured in a California car accident may be entitled to compensation for losses that include:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages and future lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• And more

Proving Fault in a Car Wreck: The Reason You Need a Car Accident Attorney

Some auto accidents, such as rear-end collisions, leave little doubt as to which driver is at fault. Other cases, however, depend on evidence, police reports, and eyewitness testimony. When cases are disputed, whether by the driver or the driver’s insurer, holding the negligent party responsible comes down to presenting a convincing case. This is where hiring an experienced California car accident attorney is critical, particularly when injuries are serious and medical bills runs into the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer in California to Get The Compensation You Deserve

When the stakes in a car accident are high, you need an experienced auto lawyer who will fight tirelessly on your behalf. With more than 30 years of combined experience and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for injured clients, Avrek Law Firm’s car accident attorneys know what it takes to achieve top results. To schedule a free case review, contact us online or call 877-859-2328.

Sources:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Crashes Aren’t Accidents
• NHTSA: The Impact of Driver Inattention On Near-Crash/Crash Risk: An Analysis Using the 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study Data
• The California Highway Patrol: 2013 Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes
• www.huffingtonpost.com: Who’s Really Texting While Driving Most? Hint: It’s Not Teens
• drowsydriving.org: Facts and Stats
• California Department of Motor Vehicles: Driver Distractions—Don’t Be a Statistic