Our Irvine Car Accident Lawyers

Why Do Car Accidents Happen In Irvine, CA?

Most vehicle collisions in California happen due to the driver’s error. They can be negligent in various ways, including reckless driving, not paying attention, and driving under the influence. However, some external factors also contribute to an accident.

Our lawyers have handled various car accident cases in Irvine. Here are the most common causes of these incidents.

Reckless Driving

Certain driving behaviors can pose significant risks to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists in Irvine. Drivers may recklessly change lanes, make illegal turns, drive the wrong way, or even run red lights. These unsafe practices lead to various types of car accidents, including:

• Head-On Collision — A car illegally or recklessly overtaking on two-lane roads might collide with oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision.
• Rear-End Crash — Tailgating often results in rear-end collisions if the vehicle in front suddenly stops.
• Intersection Pileup — Ignoring traffic lights and failing to yield the right-of-way can cause multiple vehicle pileups, causing intersection accidents. They might also lead to T-Bone accidents.
• Pedestrian and Cyclist Injury — A reckless driver might also not notice pedestrians and cyclists who take up a small space on the road.

Reckless drivers are responsible for many of the casualties on the roads of California. Our car accident lawyers in Irvine aim to help injured victims seek damages for their losses.

Driving Under The Influence (DUI)

Substances like alcohol and drugs significantly affect an individual’s judgment, reaction time, and coordination. Impaired drivers will find it difficult to control their vehicles safely and may act recklessly on the road. They may also display erratic driving patterns, such as swerving between lanes, increasing the risk of collisions with other motorists.

Moreover, DUI accidents often result in devastating consequences, including death. Families may also suffer from emotional trauma and financial hardship after losing a loved one.

Irvine is continuously combating this persistent issue. The local law enforcement frequently conducts checkpoints, as supported by grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Speeding

Drivers who exceed the posted speed limits on Irvine roads endanger themselves and other motorists. Overspeeding amplifies several factors leading to an accident in the following ways:

• The driver’s ability to react to changing road conditions and unexpected obstacles is compromised.
• The faster a car goes, the more stopping distance it needs. As a result, the vehicle might not be able to brake in time to avoid a collision.
• Higher speeds result in a greater force of impact, leading to catastrophic injuries or even death.

Bad Weather

Orange County typically enjoys mild and sunny weather. However, heavy rain during the winter months can affect road safety in Irvine. Additionally, dense fog might reduce visibility and increase the risk of collisions.

Southern California also gets regular visits from Santa Ana winds, which can create various hazardous situations. The sudden gusts can be strong enough to knock down power lines and other structures off the road.

The winds might also generate a sandstorm, as observed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in January 2023. This phenomenon reduced visibility along Interstate 10 and flung various objects onto the streets of the Riverside metropolitan area.

Poor Road Conditions

Irvine is known for maintaining good roads and having an organized transportation infrastructure. Still, some occasional road hazards could contribute to accidents. Some examples are:

• Potholes
• Inadequate signage
• Construction areas
• Maintenance activities
• Debris

Unexpected obstacles are some of the most common issues our car accident lawyers see in Irvine. These hazards might catch a driver off guard, resulting in loss of control and collisions.

Defective Vehicle Parts

Even well-maintained vehicles can experience mechanical failures in critical components. These malfunctions can occur suddenly while driving and potentially result in a car accident. Some examples include brake failures, steering problems, and defective tires. Such issues may stem from an auto defect during the design or manufacturing process. In this case, our Irvine car accident lawyers might look into the possibility of a product liability claim.

Common Distractions That Cause Car Accidents For Irvine Residents

Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving refers to operating the vehicle while one’s attention is diverted from the primary task of driving safely. There are a variety of potential activities that can tempt a driver’s attention away.

The majority of distracted driving accidents are related to texting and driving. This can easily be prevented by pulling over and parking before responding to a text. Here are some Irvine car accident causes:

• Interacting with one’s smartphone is likely the most dangerous distraction of all. In the average five seconds that it takes to send or read a text, you take your eyes off the road for the length of an entire football field while traveling at highway speeds. That is a long way to drive blind.
• Eating while you drive is a dangerous distraction. If you’re on a road trip, take the time to pull off the road, grab a burger and Coke, and stretch a bit before getting back behind the wheel. Taking such driving breaks will allow you the time you need to rejuvenate before returning to your enormous responsibility of driving safely.
• Fiddling with your in-car navigational system, your heating or cooling features, or your entertainment console is a distraction. Before you head out in your car, take the time you need to get things set where you want them – this will allow you to focus your attention on driving safely once you’re on the road.
• Even conversing with passengers can be a form of distraction. Never push your boundaries when it comes to remaining focused on driving safely.
• Finally, an unrestrained pet in your car is a dangerous distraction. Even if your pet is generally calm on car rides, it’s essential to recognize that pets are unpredictable – especially in emergencies. Make it your habit never to allow an unrestrained pet to ride shotgun.

Quick Distracted Driving Facts

Did you know that 8% of all fatal car crashes in 2021 involved a distracted driver? And sadly, drivers aged 16 to 24 regularly talk on their cell phones at higher rates than other groups.

Here are five other facts about distracted driving, as per the SafeTREC Traffic Safety Stats report:

1. Driving while texting is a significant problem among young drivers.
2. Victims aged 15 to 24 have the highest fatality rates in distracted driving crashes, making up 24.9% of deaths.
3. In 2021, around 3% of traffic fatalities in California were caused by distracted drivers.
4. San Diego is the top county in California by fatalities.
5. A high number of serious traffic injuries is reported in Los Angeles compared to other California cities.

Common Injuries Sustained In An Irvine Car Accident

A car accident can cause nearly any kind of injury, but there are several types that are most common to such incidents:

• Broken Bones — A fracture is an excruciating injury that is slow to heal. Further, broken bones that don’t heal correctly can lead to chronic health issues and even permanent disabilities. Car accident lawyers in Irvine will help you pursue fair compensation based on the extent of your injuries and other losses.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries — Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are typically caused by blunt force to the head or by the violent shaking of the head (both of which are common in car accidents). TBIs are exceedingly unpredictable and can lead to extreme emotional complications. Some sufferers go so far as to describe a diminished sense of self, which is an immense hardship.
• Lacerations — Bodily injuries like cuts are pretty common in collisions due to flying debris and broken glass. These wounds can be minor, needing only first-aid solutions. However, some can go deeper into the skin, which might require stitches and surgery.
• Spinal Cord Injuries — Collisions also cause injury to any part of the spinal cord, and they can be very painful and slow to heal. A severe spinal cord injury can also lead to partial or complete paralysis below the affected site.
• Internal Injuries — Car accident victims also commonly suffer from damage to their organs. These injuries are dangerous as they might not be immediately apparent, but can be life-threatening without medical attention.

Our car accident lawyers in Irvine also handle wrongful death cases. These tragic events leave grieving family members seeking justice for the loss of their loved ones. We will thoroughly assess your case to determine potential liable parties and evaluate the degree of their responsibility.