Car accidents are something that no one wants to experience. However, they can happen just about anywhere and anytime due to negligence. Therefore, all you can realistically do is prepare for the chance that it occurs. To this end, it’s vital to identify where most car accidents happen, as learning these patterns can help mitigate the risks. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you should enlist the help of our determined Santa Clara County Car Accident Attorneys, who can help you seek reasonable compensation for your damages.
What are the most common places where car accidents happen in California?
As mentioned above, there is sadly no exact science to forecast or prevent auto accidents. However, knowing where you are more susceptible to an accident can help you reduce the risks. The following are places where there is a significantly higher risk of an auto accident occurring in California:
- Close to home. According to research, most car accidents occur within five miles of an accident victim’s home. When approaching your home, you may drop your guard, leading to distracted driving and other inattentive behaviors behind the wheel.
- Parking lots. If you think about it, parking lots are sort of a free-for-all type of deal, which can cause these spaces to be organized chaos at best. As such, with numerous vehicles in close quarters and frequent pedestrian movement, there is a high chance of an auto accident occurring. It can be difficult to maneuver these compact spaces, and drivers may disregard the speed limits when vying with other vehicles for an open parking space. Therefore, during busy hours, parking lots have a heightened risk of crashes.
- Intersections. Intersections require vehicles to cross paths. This can be a recipe for disaster if a vehicle confuses who has the right-of-way. When mistakes are made at intersections, auto accidents can be unavoidable. In addition, some motorists attempt to beat red lights and speed through intersections, which can result in vehicles colliding with one another.
- Stop signs. Unfortunately, when drivers are distracted, they may not see a stop sign until it’s too late, rolling into oncoming traffic, which can result in a collision.
- Rush hour. Accidents on interstates are all too common during daily commutes and rush hour. When drivers are stuck in traffic delays, they are more likely to engage in aggressive driving behaviors. When their patience runs out, they may be guilty of road rage, where they speed, block other vehicles from getting in their lane, tailgate, cut off other vehicles, and switch lanes without signaling. All of these reckless driving behaviors can increase the likelihood of an accident.
As you can see, accidents can occur just about anywhere due to negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to contact a trusted attorney from the Law Offices of Brian J. O’Grady, who can help you fight to obtain the maximum compensation to which you may be entitled to for your devastating losses.
