Accidents happen for many reasons, ranging from driver recklessness, human error, faulty vehicles, among other causes. Although the causes of accidents vary, the consequences of an accident are often the same: property damage, serious injuries, or even death.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
In the unfortunate event that you are a victim of a traffic accident, whether as a motorist, cyclist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian, your first course of action should always be seeking medical attention even when you feel okay. Some injuries fail to show immediately after the accident, making it important to get yourself checked by a medical practitioner.
After getting treatment for your injuries, it’s always best to talk to a reputable traffic accident attorney. The right attorney can help you look into your case and ensure that you recover fair compensation for your damages.
Here are some of the common causes of accidents in California.
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is also one of the leading causes of auto accidents in California. Most often, impaired driving is usually related to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. When people drive while impaired, their response time in an emergency and their ability to focus on the road is significantly reduced, increasing the risk of an accident. Sometimes impaired driving could be a result of prescription medicine. Therefore, ensure that you follow the doctor’s guidelines on prescriptions and avoid driving when advised not to.
Speeding
Speeding ranks high as a leading cause of traffic accidents in California. When driving at high speeds, the driver’s reaction time, vehicle maneuverability, and stopping distance in case of an emergency are significantly affected. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of an accident. Speed-related accidents have a higher chance of catastrophic outcomes as a result of the energy released at impact.
Distracted Driving
As technology gets more integrated into the lives of Americans, so does distracted driving behavior. Almost every driver in California has a smartphone or another device that can be very tempting to use while driving.
In California, texting, browsing or talking on the phone are illegal, but people still use these devices while driving, which increases the risk of an accident. Distractions are not limited to the use of the phone; other activities such as eating, drinking, flipping the channel on the radio or checking your GPS can also contribute to detracted driving.
Other Factors
Although the most common causes of traffic accidents are driver related, some accidents result from factors beyond the driver’s control. Some of these factors include:
• Vehicle defects or malfunctions. In some cases, the causative factor in an accident could be a defect in a vehicle part due to poor maintenance or a production defect. The victims can file a product liability claim against the parts or vehicle manufacturer where the accidents result from a production defect.
• Poor road conditions. Sometimes poor road conditions such as potholes, oil spills, and missing signage can significantly contribute to accidents. The parties responsible for maintaining roads, such as the government or road contractors, can be held liable for accidents resulting from poor road maintenance.
Final Words
Although driving is a necessity for most California individuals, it can sometimes get risky due to other careless road users or poor road conditions. Luckily, you may be able to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligent actions. If you have been involved in an accident in California, it would be best to speak to a skilled car accident attorney to assist you pursuing the rightful compensation.
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