There are more than 3.14 million residents living in Orange County, California, according to the latest figures available by the United States Census Bureau. Furthermore, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, there are more than 2,116,173 registered automobiles in Orange County. Combined with trucks, trailers, and other vehicles, that number skyrockets to more than 2.7 million on Orange County roads. With so many people and vehicles traveling the roads, car accidents are commonplace in Orange County and, particularly, in the city of Irvine. This city was developed by the Irvine Company in the 1960’s, and was formally incorporated in December 1971. The City of Irvine is certainly a wonderful place to call home, embodying the city’s mission statement is “to create and maintain a community where people can live, work, and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. However, unfortunately car crashes remain a reality even in such an idyllic environment.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Irvine, contact an Orange County Personal Injury Attorney today.
Most Common Car Accident Causes
Vehicle collisions occur for a number of reasons, but, there are three broad categories under which these fall. The most common car accident causes, listed from least to most are as follows:
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Equipment failure: Equipment failure, the least common cause of car crashes, can still be dangerous and sometimes deadly. Improper care and maintenance of a vehicle can lead to such things as brake failure, under-inflated tires, worn tires, and steering and suspension failures.
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Road Maintenance and Design: Bad road design and poor maintenance can create hazardous driving conditions, putting drivers and their passengers at risk of collision. Dangerously designed and/or maintained roads will limit a driver’s visibility, while malfunctioning traffic lights and signs, as well as treacherous weather conditions can also be a causation factor of car accidents. Road debris, faded road signs, and potholes can be culprits of car collisions too.
Drivers worry often about being involved in collisions; about the resulting damage; and about the cost of repairs. But there are other road hazards, from trees and potholes to animals, which cause expensive damage but often are overlooked. —Wall Street Journal
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Driver’s Behavior: The most common cause of vehicular accidents is simply a driver’s behavior, whether it’s distracted driving, road rage or drunk driving. Distracted driving is defined as “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.”
http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html Distracted driving accounts for an astonishing 95 percent of all auto collisions! That should come as no surprise at all. Driver distraction has only become worse over the years as technology has become smarter. With the ever-present smartphone and access to other technology, drivers rely on this technology for just about everything to get them where they are going and to stay connected. From navigation and traffic information to uploading a selfie to a social media site, the use of smart devices is very dangerous when behind the wheel of a vehicle. It really only takes a split second for a life-altering accident to occur. According to the National Safety Council, 25% of all car accidents involve a driver using a mobile phone and is the most prevalent cause of a crash.
Drivers can easily become distracted when texting, using a mobile phone, eating and drinking, reading, including maps, using a navigation system,Or adjusting a radio among other things. But, because text messaging requires visual, physical, and mental attention from the driver, it is by far the most disturbing distraction.
Additionally, speeding is a significant contributor to car crashes, as well as drivers who follow too closely. Under such circumstances, drivers have less time and distance to react to bad road conditions, traffic conditions, or other situations.
Sadly, 40 percent of all car crash fatalities involve drunk driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA. Drivers under the influence suffer from poor reaction time, impaired vision, and bad decision-making.
Other contributing causes of automobile accidents are road rage, or, aggressive driving. These include drivers who tailgate, prevent other cars from changing lanes or speed, or engage in other contentious behaviors which unsafe conditions on the road. Verbal abuse and rude gestures may also be contributing factors leading-up to car crashes.
Irvine Car Accident Statistics
Regardless of the cause, car accidents can be devastating, physically, psychologically, and emotionally. In the latest statistics available, car crashes in Irvine, California, involved several types of collisions. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were a total of 891 crashed resulting in injuries and fatalities in the city of Irvine, including:
- 54 involved a driver under the influence of alcohol
- 22 involved motorcyclists
- 36 involved pedestrians
- 56 involved bicyclists
If you or a loved one has been involved in any type of car accident in the city of Irvine, you need to speak with a qualified attorney right away. Timing is essential and you might be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and/or loss of earning potential. Don’t wait until it’s too late, learn about your legal rights and options now. Visit our Irvine Office Location for a free consultation.
