Car Accident

If you’ve ever been involved in a rear-end collision, chances are you’ve heard the common theory about who’s at fault. Even for people who haven’t been involved, the common perception is that the person at the back of a rear-end collision is always at fault.

But did you know there is no actual rule behind this theory? The theory holds true most of the time, but there’s no specific law alluding to this. So how did this idea get started? To get there, we need to answer a few other questions.

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Based on statistics comparing drivers in Long Beach to other California cities of comparable sizes, Long Beach drivers are generally pretty safe. There are some specific areas— collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists, for example—where Long Beach has pretty high numbers, but incidents of driving at high speeds or under the influence of alcohol are fewer. Long Beach drivers seem to show proper caution and treat driving with respect, though it may be a dangerous place to walk or ride a bike.

OTS Rankings

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) compiles collision rankings each year to compare how drivers in different cities of comparable sizes perform in terms of collisions with injuries or fatalities. While these numbers might not demonstrate exactly how good drivers in a particular city are, they do allow for comparisons in certain categories to show where there is room for improvement.

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Being involved in a catastrophic car accident can be especially traumatizing for all involved. Whether it is a single-vehicle or a multi-vehicle collision, the effects of these accidents can result in long-term consequences for the injured party. Car accidents can be caused by any number of factors from intoxicated, distracted, or fatigued drivers, to hazardous road conditions. In the event that there is a catastrophic car accident, here are four ways in which the victims’ lives can be dramatically changed.

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According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an independent agency devoted to vehicle safety, the State of California had 3,074 deaths that were a result of a car crash in their most recent study based on 2014. This tragic statistic placed California as the second-leading state for that year, exceeded only by Texas in the category. Approximately 28% of these crashes involved a driver who had a blood-alcohol level, and over 60% of these occurred in urban areas such as the majority of regions in LA, Orange and San Diego Counties. Read the rest »

Rear end car accidents are the most common car accident type, accounting for 28 percent of all car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These accidents are frequently the result of distraction, carelessness, or negligence on the part of the driver of the rear car. Here’s are some common questions we hear about rear end accidents.

Whose fault is a rear end accident?

In most rear end accidents, the driver of the rear vehicle is considered partly or totally at fault. This has led to a myth that the rear driver is always at fault. However, this may not be the case. For example, if the front driver reverses suddenly, has non-working brake lights, or stops in the middle of the road without turning on hazard lights, the rear end accident may be determined not to be the rear driver’s fault. Read the rest »

A single vehicle accident on Willow Street near Nipomo Avenue recently claimed the life of a Long Beach resident.

The 48-year-old man was driving a 2007 BMW 530i at the time of the accident, according to police.  The vehicle crashed into both a tree and an empty parked utility vehicle. Police and fire crews responding to the scene found that the driver’s injuries were fatal. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Read the rest »

A 23-year-old Long Beach man was killed and three passengers were critically injured when their car skidded off the Pacific Coast Highway and into a light pole. According to witnesses, the vehicle was speeding on the highway when it spun sideways, slid toward the south curb, and collided with the light pole. Witnesses claimed that it appeared the driver had lost control of the car.

Emergency crews took the vehicle’s three injured passengers, an 18-year-old woman and two 16-year-old boys, to local hospitals for injury treatment. All three are currently listed in critical condition. Police are still investigating to determine whether drugs or alcohol were also a factor in the accident. Read the rest »

Holiday travel is one of the biggest sources of stress for California families.  But it doesn’t have to be.  By planning ahead, you can make a holiday car trip less stressful as you get to where you’re going safely.  Whether you’re trying to navigate holiday traffic at the mall or are planning on a coast-to-coast road adventure, help protect yourself and those you love with these tips from the American Automobile Association (AAA):

• Buckle up! Your seat belt is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of serious car accident injuries – but it only works if you use it.  Require your passengers to buckle up as well. Read the rest »

Drivers over age 50 face a number of challenges that younger drivers don’t face. This fact surprises many older drivers, who assume that their decades of experience must help them drive more safely.  But the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and many experienced California car accident lawyers recognize that older drivers need the tools to help them drive safely.

The AARP offers driving classes aimed specifically at drivers age 50 and older.  The classes can be taken online or at one of many locations in southern California.  Although you do not need to be an AARP member to take the class, AARP members do receive a discount on the cost of enrollment. Read the rest »

Infants grow quickly – too quickly for the tastes of most California parents!  When a child outgrows a rear-facing infant car seat, parents find themselves confronted with a vast array of forward-facing car seat options.  Which should you choose?  The answer depends not only on your child’s needs, but also on the needs of your family.

Here is an overview of forward-facing car seat types and the reasons a family might choose each one, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and your experienced California car accident attorney: Read the rest »