Where Do Most Los Angeles Car Accidents Happen?

Despite attempts from the Mayor, the number of traffic accidents in Los Angeles continues to rise. In 2016, the Los Angeles Times reports that 260 people were killed in traffic accidents in the city of Los Angeles. In 2017, there are already more accident fatalities than there were reported at this time last year.

You can reduce your chances of being involved in a Los Angeles car accident if you understand when and where accidents are most likely to happen.

Most Accidents Happen Near Home

The most driving we do is generally within a few miles of our home. Whether we are driving to work, picking up a few things at the grocery store, or dropping the kids off at school, most of the driving we do is close to home.

It just so happens that the majority of traffic accidents also happen when you are in close proximity to your home. Since most of our time is spent traveling within 10-25 miles of our home, the chances of getting into an accident there are the greatest.

What can you do to limit your chances of getting into an accident near your home? Many times, we become too comfortable when driving around our own neighborhoods. We begin to understand the roads, traffic, and surroundings like the back of our hand. This familiarity allows us to lose focus and become distracted.

Accidents are more likely to occur when we are daydreaming, texting, or eating while we drive. When you are driving in your neighborhood make a conscious effort to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Rush Hour Accidents Are Common in Los Angeles

Many accidents happen during the morning and evening Los Angeles rush hours. When drivers are forced to sit in slow-moving traffic they become engaged with other things, like texting or checking social media. Texting while driving will reportedly increase the chances of an accident occurring by 23 percent.

Once traffic jams are over drivers will be eager to get to their intended destination. This can result in aggressive driving, speeding, and other behaviors that put drivers at a risk of harm.

If you are driving during rush hour in Los Angeles it is important to remain alert. Do not become distracted by checking your email, answering a phone call, or eating a full meal. These are distracted behaviors that drivers routinely engage in while driving in Los Angeles rush hour traffic, and they all increase the likelihood of a crash.

Once the traffic has dispersed it is important to follow Los Angeles traffic laws. While speeding or aggressively changing lanes may get you to your destination sooner, they can also cause an accident, causing you to be even later.

Nighttime Driving Accidents

Many Los Angeles accidents are also frequently reported at night. In 2014, more than 7,200 injury-causing traffic accidents were reported between the hours of 9 PM and 3 AM. Drivers who operate a car during this time are more prone to suffer from:

• Poor driving visibility;
• Fatigue;
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and
• Distractions.

You can reduce your chances of being involved in a nighttime accident by taking a few simple steps. First, make sure that you never get behind the wheel when you are under the influence. This will increase your chances of being in an accident. Second, don’t drive while you are overly fatigued.

Try to make the trip at a different hour or have someone else take the wheel. Third, make sure that your car’s headlights are working properly. Faulty headlights can make it tough for you to see and difficult for others to see you.

Experienced Los Angeles Traffic Accident Attorneys

Have you been injured in a Los Angeles car accident? If so, you may be entitled to compensation from the person responsible for your accident. This compensation can be extremely helpful to pay for medical bills, property damage, and other losses you have suffered because of your accident. Contact a personal injury attorney at Citywide Law Group today to find out how we can maximize the money you receive in a settlement or offer.

For more information, call our law firm at (424) 248-2700 or visit our contact us page to send us an email.