Legal Safe Driving Guide for California Highways

California is home to some of the busiest highways in the United States, making it one of the most common places for drivers to find themselves in a highway accident. That’s why safety tips and legal guides are essential reading for any beginner or experienced driver, so they can know how to react when situations become unsafe on California highways.

In this article, we’ll cover ways you can reduce your chances of being involved in a crash and list some of the laws designed to keep drivers safe.

Safety Tips for Driving on California Highways

Driving can be a real pleasure in California, but it can quickly become frustrating when you find yourself navigating the congested highways in Los Angeles or Orange County. If you find yourself driving at high speeds on the interstate, surrounded on all sides by other vehicles, you should take the following precautions:

1. Follow the speed limit: the temptation to speed is always there when surrounding drivers are flying by at high speeds. But staying within the speed limit can help you avoid getting hit, especially if a congested interstate suddenly grinds to a halt.
2. Use the right lane: a way to avoid dangerous drivers is to stay in the far right lane unless passing another vehicle. Slower traffic generally keeps to the right, and vehicles traveling at unsafe speeds usually use the left lane.
3. Make proper lane changes: a safe way to change lanes is by leaving four to six seconds of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when you go to switch lanes. Check all of your mirrors one at a time, while making sure your blind spots are clear. Signal with your blinker to let other drivers know of your intention to change lanes.
4. Maximize your visibility: ways you can maximize your visibility are to turn your headlights when the sun is setting or when there is rain or fog. Stay out of blind spots of other vehicles.
5. Avoid distractions: the road should have your undivided attention, which means ignoring distractions such as: your phone, eating or drinking, attending to children or pets inside the vehicle.
6. Get plenty of rest before driving: it is unsafe to drive if you have not had adequate rest. If you are traveling long distances, it is recommended to stop every two hours to take a break.
7. Keep both hands on the wheel: two hands is better than one. In certain situations, having two hands on the wheel can help you react quicker when forced to make a split-second decision.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in California

According to the National Safety Council, not only are car accidents involving serious injuries on the rise, but so are the number of fatal car accidents that occur each year. As of 2025, the most common causes of car accidents in California include:

• Distracted Driving: even momentary glances can cause devastating accidents. Distracted driving can be proven through camera footage, cell phone records, and collision investigations.
• Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal car accidents every year in Glendale. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.
• Moving violation: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
• Driving under the influence (DUI): This action is the leading cause of fatal accidents in California.

What is California’s Basic Speeding Law?

California’s basic speeding law refers to California Vehicle Code 22350. This statute requires California motorists to drive at a reasonable and safe speed. The circumstances of each accident will decide what is a reasonable and safe speed based on the weather, the conditions of the road, and the flow of traffic. The California courts have identified certain conditions that help drivers determine if their speed is considered safe or not. These include:

• If the road you were driving on was in a crowded city district, a residential area, or a rural area.
• If pedestrians or bicyclists were near you on the road.
• If there were any animals nearby.
• If you were driving over or near a railroad crossing.
• If the view of the road was obstructed.
• If the current road conditions were compromised by rain or other weather conditions.
• If you were driving on elevated roads such as bridges or steep hills.

An example of these conditions would be if someone is driving up HWY 18 to Big Bear Lake in early December for the day. The posted speed limit is 45 MPH and you drive safely up the mountain road at 45 MPH. Then, in January, you attempt the same drive, but the roadway is covered with ice patches and lined with snow. Driving at the posted speed limit of 45 MPH would be considered unsafe and unreasonable according to California Vehicle Code 22350.

What Penalties Can I Receive for a Speeding 22350 CVC Citation?

Drivers who receive a ticket for violating CVC 22350 can face the following penalties:

• Possible negligence charge if the speeding results in an accident
• Points on your driving record
• Speeding tickets and driving license suspension

In California, you are allowed to dispute your citation in court. If you are found guilty of breaking the speeding law, you will have to pay the ticket, or potentially have your license suspended, depending on the severity of the infraction. The amount you will have to pay for the ticket will depend on how fast you were driving compared to the speed limit. For speeding citations given to motorists who were not driving in excess of 100 MPH, the common fines are as follows:

• $35 if faster than the limit or safe speed by 1 to 15 miles per hour
• $70 if faster than the limit or safe speed by 16 to 25 miles per hour
• $100 if faster than the limit or safe speed by 26 miles per hour or more

Drivers exceeding 100 MPH will face much larger fines and consequences. First offenders start at a $500 fine with up to 30 days of license suspension.

Do You File a Claim After a Car Accident if it’s Not Your Fault?

According to California Vehicle Code 20008, drivers are required to report the incident to police within 24 hours of being in an accident. Even if you were not at fault, you were required to report the accident to the police.

Failure to report an accident can result in fines and license suspension. A common mistake most drivers make is thinking they can avoid having their rates raised by not informing their insurance about a minor accident. However, this can easily backfire.

If the other driver involved in the minor accident files a lawsuit against you for the accident, then your insurance does not have to uphold their policy agreement with you since you failed to report the accident after it happened. This will cause you to have to pay for damages without the help of your insurance.

How Police Assign Fault for a Highway Accident in California

When a police officer is called to an accident, they will attempt to capture as much information as they can about the accident. At first glance, they’ll look to see what happened leading up to it, how it started, and who was likely the at-fault party. While determining fault at the scene of the accident, police officers will look at the following:

• Evidence at the scene:
  • Tire marks
  • Road damage
  • Vehicle damage
• Eyewitness statements
• Appearance and behavior of both drivers
• Whether a citation has been issued to either driver in the past (speeding, tailgating, DUI, or other concerning violations)
• Any other available evidence such as street cameras, dash cams, or photos

After an investigation, police will issue citations for any violations committed by either driver. Citations can be harmful to both drivers in an accident case. However, guilt of a traffic violation is only settled after a ruling, conviction, or the payment of the fine without pleading “nolo contendre.” So, if you are given a citation, but feel it was unwarranted, you do not have to admit fault. Contact an accident attorney to help you build your case and protect your rights.

How Long After a Highway Car Accident Can You File a Claim in California?

A car accident falls under personal injury law. So, much like all personal injury cases, the victim of the injury has two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim. The two-year statute of limitation is covered in California Civil Code 335.1, which states:

“Within two years: An action for assault, battery, or injury to, or for the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.”

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations in California

In most cases, the statute of limitations for car accidents begins on the date the injury took place. However, the time can vary based on the following facts:

• Injuries: An injury can take time to form or for the injured victim to become aware of their injury. The discovery of an injury can postpone the start date for the statute of limitations on a claim.
• Wrongful death: a person may lose their life at a much later date due to health complications from the accident. In this case, the victim’s family will be given two years from the day they lost their loved one to file a claim.
• The victim was a minor: if the victim was a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations will be withheld until the minor turns 18. Once the driver is 18, the two-year statute of limitations will start.

What to Do After a Highway Car Accident

The steps you take after a car accident will be important to ensuring you and your passengers’ safety, as well as protecting your right to compensation if you decide to take legal action. After a highway car accident, you should:

• Ensure the safety of you and your passengers: Depending on the situation, this could mean moving your car to the side of the road, or if you are severely injured, it could mean remaining where you are until help arrives. Check yourself for burns, lacerations, or broken bones. Oftentimes, the adrenaline from an accident can mask the pain from major injuries.
• Call the Police: The police will file an accident report and take down the names of everyone involved, as well as assign fault based on the evidence in front of them. A police report will serve as evidence if you need to back up your claims later.
• Document the incident: Take photos or film the aftermath of the bus accident. Film yourself recounting the details of the incident and describe the pain you’re in. It is best to capture how the accident played out while the memory is still fresh in your mind.
• Gather witness statements and driver information: Film or record witnesses willing to give a statement about the accident. Take down their names and phone numbers. Take a picture of the other driver’s license and license plate number. Take down the contact information. All of this information will help support your claim and assist your attorney in building your case if you end up taking legal action.
• Do NOT admit fault: Don’t admit fault even if you feel you may have caused the accident. Allow the police to conduct their investigation and determine fault.
• Get Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it is important to get checked out by a doctor or go to a hospital. Certain injuries can lie dormant and manifest themselves hours, or even days later.
• Notify your insurance of the accident: Notifying your insurance of the accident is typically a part of any auto insurance policy. Failing to report an accident can result in a dismissal of your policy agreement, depending on the contract you signed with your insurance company.
• Contact Maison Law: If you consult with one of our attorneys after a car accident, we can manage your claim and ensure you are taking the proper legal actions to receive compensation and protect yourself from liability.

Contact Maison Law | California Car Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in California, Maison Law can help. If an unsafe driver caused your highway accident, our team of experienced accident attorneys will aggressively pursue liable parties for the full extent of your damages. Even though we’ve helped thousands of injured victims receive a fair settlement after a car accident, we treat each client with a custom legal plan that best fits their situation. Get started today by contacting us for a free consultation and case evaluation.