Car accidents of all types happen every day throughout California. According to data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record System (SWITRS), there were 159,623 car accidents throughout California in 2022. Every car accident is unique in terms of the facts and circumstances that led up to them. While usually associated with speeding or reckless driving, sometimes accidents can happen when another driver is moving too slowly.
As this data shows, the likelihood of being involved in a car accident in California is quite high. That said, it’s important to understand how the law works and how our team of experienced California personal injury lawyers can help you.
Experienced California Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
No matter what the circumstances are that surround your car accident in California, our experienced car accident lawyers at Maison Law can give you the legal assistance you need. With our extensive experience, we ensure accountability for responsible individuals and secure fair compensation for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward resolution.
What Types of Car Accidents Happen Because of Slow Driving in California?
A person driving too slow presents unique challenges for you and other drivers on the road in California. While there is generally more time to react, the added surprise of a slow-moving vehicle can be just as challenging. Moreover, slow driving frequently leads to a number of different types of accidents in California, such as:
- Rear-end collisions – When a driver is traveling at a significantly slower speed than the surrounding traffic, other drivers may not have enough time to react and may end up crashing into the back of the slow-moving vehicle.
- Sideswipe accidents – Slow driving can cause other drivers to attempt overtaking or changing lanes, resulting in sideswipe accidents if the slow-moving vehicle unexpectedly moves into their path.
- Intersection accidents – Slow-driving vehicles approaching an intersection may cause confusion and unexpected delays for other drivers, leading to accidents when drivers fail to navigate the intersection safely.
- Chain-reaction accidents – If a slow-moving vehicle suddenly slows down or stops on a busy road, it can cause a chain reaction of collisions as other drivers attempt to react and avoid a crash.
- Road rage incidents – Slow driving can frustrate other drivers, potentially leading to aggressive behaviors, such as tailgating, dangerous overtaking, or even intentional collisions.
It’s important to note that regardless of the cause, all drivers on the road should adhere to the speed limits and drive at a safe and appropriate speed to prevent accidents and ensure road safety.
Who is Responsible For a California Car Accident When Driving Too Slowly?
Car accident law in California is built around negligence. What this means, generally speaking, is that every driver has a duty to drive in a way that prevents accidents. While this typically means not speeding, it can just as easily be attributed to driving too slowly. While figuring out liability in a given car accident depends heavily on the specific circumstances, the driver who is at fault for the accident is responsible for any resulting damages. Here are a few scenarios that may help understand liability in cases where one driver was driving slowly:
- Negligence in driving too slowly – If a driver is traveling significantly below the posted speed limit or driving unreasonably slow for the prevailing conditions, and this contributes to causing an accident, they may be considered negligent and held liable for some of the damages.
- Failure to maintain a safe speed – All drivers in California have a legal obligation to drive at a safe and appropriate speed based on the road conditions, weather, and traffic. If a driver’s slow speed is deemed unsafe for the prevailing conditions and leads to an accident, they may be held responsible.
- Sharing fault – Sometimes, both drivers can be partially responsible for an accident. If it’s determined that both drivers were careless or didn’t show enough caution, the level of fault for each driver will be considered to figure out who should be held responsible and how much they should pay for damages.
It’s important to note that each car accident is unique, and liability is determined based on the specific facts and evidence presented. If you’re involved in a car accident where the other driver was driving too slowly, it’s advisable to consult with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers who can assess the circumstances and provide guidance based on the applicable laws in California.
Damages in a California Personal Injury Case
Regardless of the cause of the accident, if there are injuries, a claim for damages can be filed. Legally, a car accident in California falls under the “personal injury” umbrella. In these cases, you can potentially recover the following benefits and support in a claim:
- Medical expenses – You can get money to cover the costs of your medical treatment, like hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Lost income – If the injury has made you miss work or affected your ability to earn money, you can be compensated for the wages or income you have lost. You may also receive money for any future earning potential that has been impacted.
- Property damage – If your belongings were damaged or destroyed in the accident, you can get money to repair or replace them.
- Pain and suffering – You can receive money to make up for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by the injury. This is to compensate you for the non-financial impact the accident has had on your quality of life.
- Emotional distress – Along with pain and suffering, you may be entitled to money for psychological or emotional trauma resulting from the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of enjoyment of life – If the injury has affected your ability to do activities or hobbies you used to enjoy, you can be compensated for the loss of pleasure in life.
- Loss of companionship – If the injury has strained your relationship with your spouse or family members, resulting in a loss of companionship, love, or support, you may be eligible for money.
Again, the damages that are available depend on the circumstances of your accident and injuries. In cases where one driver was driving too slowly, it could still technically be argued that you were partially at fault, which may affect your overall recovery. That’s why it’s important to act quickly so that our team can review the details of your case and help you figure out what to do next.
Should You Hire Our California Personal Injury Lawyers?
Importantly, there’s no legal requirement in California that says you need to be represented by a lawyer in an injury claim. While you can certainly take care of the claim on your own, there are significant advantages to working with lawyers as experienced and dedicated as ours. Aside from utilizing our free case evaluations, we can help you in the following ways if you decide to move forward with legal action:
- Our lawyers are experts at gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, collecting medical records, and handling all the necessary paperwork to build a strong case on your behalf. We know how to present the evidence in the most persuasive way to maximize your chances of obtaining fair compensation.
- Dealing with insurance companies, whose primary goal is to reduce payouts, can be challenging. Our team has extensive experience negotiating with insurance adjusters and will stand up for your rights. We can skillfully negotiate for a fair settlement that covers your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- If a fair settlement can’t be reached through negotiation, our personal injury lawyers will be prepared to take your case to trial. We will represent your interests in court, presenting your case to a judge and jury and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
- Most of all, dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury can be physically, emotionally, and mentally overwhelming. Hiring our team will allow you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your case. We’ll handle the paperwork, legal deadlines, and communication with the other party, easing your burden.
Take Action Today With Our California Personal Injury Lawyers
At Maison Law, we prioritize your health and well-being above everything else. Our goal is to ensure you receive complete compensation from the responsible party in a California car accident. No matter what caused your accident, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers will be on your side and go after the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been in a car accident, take action today. Contact us for a free consultation.
