Maison Law represents car accident victims across California. As the nation’s most populous state, the sheer number of cars on the road everyday in California means that there’s always the threat of an accident. California has devoted significant resources to tracking and responding to car accidents. While this shows the scope of the problem, your legal options will depend on the particular circumstances of your accident. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
How Many Car Accidents Are There in California Per Day?
Data on car accidents in California is quite plentiful, but figuring out how many car accidents happen per day depends on where you look and where the accident happens. Looking statewide, the California Highway Patrol’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) tracks the number of crashes that happen on state highways. According to TIMS data in 2023, there were:
- 54,830 car accidents
- 144,671 vehicle miles traveled
When you break this down, it comes out to:
- 150.2 car accidents per day
What this data underscores is that a car accident is both incredibly common and, worse, likely to happen if you spend any amount of time on the road in California. When you stop to think about just how much time you’re in your car, it’s apparent that you need to be prepared to deal with the realities that come with a car accident.
Causes of Car Accidents and What it Could Mean
With so many car accidents in California per day, it’s not surprising that there are a wide variety of different causes of these accidents. Typically, some of the most common causes include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs driving ability, causing accidents.
- Distractions like texting while driving increase the risk of accidents as drivers lose focus on the road.
- Not following traffic rules, like speeding or running red lights, can lead to accidents.
- Risky behaviors such as speeding, weaving through traffic, or ignoring signals contribute to accidents.
- Tired or sleepy drivers have slower reactions and may struggle to stay focused, raising the likelihood of accidents.
Car accidents are a common occurrence in California, and there’s a reasonable chance you or your loved ones might experience one. But every accident is unique, and even with these common causes, the outcomes and results are dependent on the particular circumstances of the accident you find yourself in. Usually, though, it results in:
- Injuries and other psychological and emotional damage
- Losing the ability to work or missing work
- Reducing your quality of life
- Impact on your personal relationships
What’s important to understand about car accidents is that they affect everyone differently, but the impact and damage often lasts well after the accident itself. Thus, it means significant changes to how you live your life. The law in California tries to take this into account when figuring out the financial support that you can go after.
Legal Process After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you can file a claim for damages.” Generally, this is done either by:
- Filing an insurance claim against the person or entity that caused the accident
- Filing a lawsuit
Both options are going to allow you to recover the damages that the accident caused you, and share many of the same procedures in terms of looking at the accident and figuring out who is liable. While an insurance claim happens outside of court and a lawsuit is a formal court action, you can potentially recover the following damages in a claim:
- Costs related to medical treatment and bills
- Income lost or potential future earnings affected
- Expenses for property damage or vehicle repair
- Financial support for pain and suffering
- Damages for emotional distress
- Impact on the quality of life or companionship
- Financial consideration for scarring or disfigurement
- Punitive damages in certain situations
- Wrongful death expenses (if the accident is fatal)
Deadline and Comparative Negligence
Two extremely important aspects of any car accident claim involves the statute of limitations and the principle of “comparative negligence.” Comparative negligence is a rule in place that says your potential recovery is reduced based on your percentage of fault in the accident. So, if you contributed 10% of fault in the accident, your potential damages will ultimately be reduced by that same 10%.
Additionally, there’s a two-year time limit (statute of limitations) for filing injury claims in California, meaning you have to file your claim within two years from the accident date. Missing this deadline means you won’t be able to recover these much-needed damages.
Contact Maison Law For a Free Consultation
When you’re in a car accident in California, you’re going to need support to get through your recovery. At Maison Law, our experienced team of car accident lawyers will be there to guide and support you through this process. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
