Car accidents happen daily throughout Woodland Hills, and many residents blame ever-increasing traffic in and around the Warner Center. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident that was not your fault, know that California law is on your side.
Two categories of car accidents
There are two broad categories of causes of car accidents: 1) driver error and 2) everything else. According to studies performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver error is the leading cause of car accidents in the United States.
Driver error can certainly increase in highly congested driving conditions, as drivers deal with road rage, frustration, and are rushing to get to appointments on time. Additionally, as more and more drivers think that they can multi-task while behind the wheel, we see more auto-related accidents. Why is this the case? As drivers, the likelihood of avoiding a potential hazard depends largely on one’s ability to perceive the hazard and take appropriate action to avoid it. In most instances, the margin of error is only a matter of seconds, meaning a driver has to be paying attention to the road in order to respond appropriately and avoid an accident.
Examples of driver error
Examples of driver error include:
- texting and driving
- eating and driving
- putting on make up and driving
- drinking and driving
- smoking and driving
- pets in the way
- driver fatigue
- speeding
- other occupants
This list is not exhaustive. If you were injured by a distracted driver engaging in another type of activity, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.
As noted above, some auto accidents are not caused by driver error. These can include road conditions, such as improperly maintained streets, and mechanical error.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to bring a claim against the negligent driver to recover financial compensation for injuries, lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Learn more about the various types of financial recovery available to an accident victim here.
Car crash victims often have many questions immediately following an accident. Contact Woodland Hills personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg today for a free consultation about your potential case and to discuss next steps.
