What Are the Common Forms of Negligence That Lead to Auto Accidents in California?

Unfortunately, auto accidents occur virtually every single day in California, and many of them are preventable. Please continue reading to familiarize yourself with the most common forms of negligence that can lead to a collision to best protect yourself. Additionally, if you were injured in an accident, you will discover how our Irvine auto accident lawyers can help you fight for justice.

What Common Forms of Negligence Can Cause a Car Accident?

While car accidents can happen for several reasons, from poor road conditions to malfunctions caused by manufacturers, many accidents occur because of negligence from other drivers.

One of the most dangerous actions a driver can take is deliberately breaking the law by ignoring the posted speed limit. When a driver speeds, they are increasing how fast their vehicle is traveling, meaning it will take longer to slow the car down to avoid a collision. Additionally, many roads have specific speed limits for the conditions of the street like curves, intersections, and hidden driveways.

Another common form of negligence includes distracted drivers. Unfortunately, the emergence of cell phones and devices has led to an increase in accidents because the driver had their eyes off the road and/or hands off the wheel. Even taking your eyes off the road for one or two seconds can be enough to miss a stop sign, veer into oncoming traffic, or collide with the car in front of you.

Additionally, when a driver decides to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, the likelihood of a collision increases drastically. Unfortunately, alcohol has a severe impact on a person’s ability to operate a vehicle. As such, drivers have slower reflexes, poor judgment, and an inability to maintain control over the car, leading to an increased risk of collisions.

Do Drivers Owe a Duty of Care?

It is essential to understand that all drivers in the state of California must follow the laws in place as they are designed to keep everyone on the road safe. Drivers are responsible for their actions and owe a duty to others to act reasonably while behind the wheel. Generally, if drivers follow the laws in place, the risk of accidents occurring is reduced. However, this is not always the reality as drivers often disregard the law, putting themselves and others at risk.

As such, if you can prove the other driver was negligent, the courts will likely recognize that your injuries were caused by the other driver who owed a duty to you, and others around, to act reasonably. You may be entitled to financial compensation for damages sustained as a result of the accident the negligent driver caused.

If you have sustained injuries due to the negligence of another driver, you may wish to pursue legal action. Please do not hesitate to speak with an experienced California personal injury attorney from California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC. Our team will do everything we can to fight for you. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team.