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.
Negligence occurs anytime a driver fails to use reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle. As such, this often takes the form of breaking traffic laws, driving recklessly, or driving while distracted.
In order to successfully prove negligence after an accident, you must show that:
Unfortunately, with the rise in technology, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of car accidents in Irvine and across the country, claiming the lives of over 3,000 people in 2023 alone.
Distracted driving occurs any time a driver takes their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task at hand, even if only for a few seconds.
Unfortunately, even short or seemingly minor distractions can result in fatal injuries. You may find that distraction can lead to:
Any time someone ignores the rules of the road, posted traffic signs, or drives aggressively, it can increase the risk of a collision in Orange County.
While speeding can encompass ignoring posted speed limits, you will also find that driving too fast in unsafe conditions, like heavy rain or low visibility, can also constitute negligence. Traveling at unsafe speeds can:
Though traveling behind a driver going under the speed limit can be frustrating, following too closely, also called tailgating, can be incredibly dangerous. Tailgating is a form of aggressive driving that can increase the risk of a collision, as the driver who fails to maintain a safe distance may be unable to stop in the event that the car in front of them brakes. Ultimately, this can cause a chain-reaction of rear-end collisions.
When a driver weaves in and out of traffic, whether on I-405 or in downtown Irvine, it can put those in the immediate vicinity in danger. These collisions commonly include:
Unfortunately, accidents at intersections are incredibly common and often very serious due to the side-impact force that is common in these collisions. In these instances, a driver who does not have the right of way may ignore or disregard stop signs, yield, or traffic lights, ultimately colliding with the driver who did have the right of way, which can result in a “T-bone” collision. Common scenarios include:
Unfortunately, one of the clearest examples of negligence that can lead to a collision in California is driving under the influence. Consuming alcohol can directly impact your reaction time, vision, judgment, coordination, and motor functions.
A driver who is under the influence may experience:
It is imperative to understand that driving while exhausted can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In fact, studies suggest that being awake for 17 consecutive hours is similar to having a BAC at 0.05%, which, in some instances, is enough to constitute a DUI offense.
In some instances, those who are drowsy may experience microsleeps, which are short periods of time in which consciousness is lost. As such, a driver may be fully asleep behind the wheel without even realizing it. Additional concerns include:
In the immediate aftermath of a collision caused by a negligent driver in Orange County, it can be incredibly overwhelming. That is why it is important to understand the most crucial information you should gather.
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.
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