Common Types of Car Accidents in California 2024

Car accidents are a common cause of serious and fatal injuries each year, and these incidents occur from a variety of causes. If you experience a car accident, it is crucial to know how to prove fault for the incident, what damages you can claim from the at-fault driver, and the value of working with an experienced Encino, CA, auto accident attorney in your recovery efforts.

All drivers should also know the most common types of car accidents to improve their chances of avoiding these incidents. While it’s impossible to always predict other drivers’ actions accurately at all times, knowing the most common causes of car accidents can help you limit your risk of causing an accident and incurring liability or someone else’s damages.

Most Common Types of Car Accidents

According to traffic accident data from various sources in the state, the most common types of car accidents reported throughout the state each year include:

• Rear-end collisions. These accidents happen when drivers do not leave adequate space in front of them or if they are driving too fast in certain traffic conditions. Whenever a driver hits another driver from behind, the rear driver is almost always to blame.
• Head-on collisions. These accidents occur when a driver hits another driver directly, and the front ends of the vehicles collide. These accidents may happen when drivers perform illegal turns, when they disregard posted traffic signals, or from various other causes. If a driver veers out of their lane of traffic or violates the right-of-way and causes this type of accident, they are likely to incur fault for the resulting damages.
• Sideswipe accidents. This accident occurs when a driver hits another driver along the side of their vehicle, scraping it as they move past the struck car. These accidents can happen when drivers do not signal properly and/or engage in unsafe lane changes or turns.
• T-bone accidents. This accident happens when one driver hits another driver directly in the side. For example, if a driver runs a red light or stop sign when opposing traffic has the right-of-way, they may strike a driver in the side. This type of accident is especially dangerous and has a high chance of causing fatal injury if there is an occupant on the side of the vehicle struck by the other driver.
• Fixed object accidents. This type of accident occurs when a driver hits a fixed object, which may be a parked vehicle, a building, a parking lot bollard, or some other object. Distracted and intoxicated driving are common causes of this type of accident.

These are just the most common ways that accidents can happen. Ultimately, if you believe another driver is to blame for your recent accident, you have the right to pursue accountability with a claim against their auto insurance. If they do not have insurance or if they don’t have enough coverage to fully compensate for your losses, you have the right to proceed with a civil suit against them. Working with an experienced attorney offers the greatest chance of success with your recovery efforts after any type of accident.

FAQs About Common Types of Car Accidents in California

What Is the Leading Cause of Car Accidents?

The most recent traffic accident data in the state indicate that the leading contributing factor to accidents throughout the state is speeding. Whenever a driver exceeds the speed limit, they reduce how much time and space they have to react to sudden changes in traffic patterns. They may not be able to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision if they are driving too fast over the speed limit, and excessive speeding may also lead to reckless driving charges.

What Is the Most Common Type of Car Accident in the State?

Car accidents happen in various ways, but rear-end collisions are consistently cited as the most common accidents in the state. This type of accident usually happens because the rear driver is too close to the leading driver, but it may also occur because a leading driver applies their brakes very suddenly at an inappropriate time. Usually, the rear driver is at fault for a rear-end collision, but this is not always true for every rear-end collision.

Can a Driver Go to Jail for Causing an Accident?

Yes, if they caused the accident by breaking the law. For example, if they were driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs or if they were excessively speeding, these are clear examples of illegal misconduct that can easily result in serious accidents. Whenever a driver causes an accident, such as hitting a pedestrian, through intentional illegal misconduct, they can face fines, jail time, driver’s license suspension, and a host of other penalties.

Can Multiple Drivers Share Fault for an Accident?

Yes, it is possible for more than one driver to bear fault for an accident. California enforces the pure comparative negligence rule for any civil claim in which the parties involved share liability for the damages cited in the claim. If a plaintiff bears partial fault for damages listed in a personal injury case, they lose a portion of their case award equal to their percentage of fault to account for their shared liability.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?

Hiring legal counsel to assist you with your recovery from a car accident makes every step of the recovery process easier to manage and more likely to yield positive results. Your car accident attorney can help you file your auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, resolving any disputes that arise with their insurance carrier. If you need to file a personal injury claim to recover losses that insurance can’t cover, their help can be invaluable when it comes to crafting a cohesive civil suit that seeks maximum compensation for your damages.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of David Davidi, APLC, have years of personal injury experience and have helped many past clients overcome very challenging car accident cases. Whatever your situation entails, you can rest assured that our team can be there to assist you with every aspect of your recovery efforts until you recover maximum compensation for the damages you suffered. If you’re ready to learn how our firm can assist you after a car accident, contact us today to schedule your free consultation.