With hundreds of miles of roads and freeways, Los Angeles County’s streets serve millions of motorists every year. Given the vast number of drivers in this bustling city, traffic accidents are common, and the consequences can be deadly.
While laws and regulations exist to keep motorists and pedestrians safe, sadly, crashes often happen when you least expect them.
1. More Cars = More Accidents
Every city has different factors that come into play when determining car crash statistics. For Los Angeles, the vast number of cars that take to the streets increases the likelihood of crashes and collisions.
In 2021, there were roughly 7,692,852 registered vehicles in Los Angeles County. These vehicles include:
- 6,386,830 passenger cars
- 1,150,957 trucks
- 155,065 motorcycles
According to the numbers, Los Angeles residents enjoy an 87.9% rate of vehicle ownership, making it one of the most car-centric cities in the United States. It’s no surprise that fatal and non-fatal car crashes abound across the city and county.
2. Crash Injuries in Los Angeles Are a Leading Issue
According to the Los Angeles Police Department’s annual accident reports, there were at least 294 car crash deaths in 2021 — a 22% increase from 2020. Additionally, according to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), traffic collisions are the number one cause of death for children in Los Angeles.
Data compiled by the California Office of Traffic Safety reported the following numbers for Los Angeles County car accidents in 2019:
- 88,814 injuries and fatalities combined
- 5,931 pedestrian injuries caused by vehicles
- 17,609 crashes resulting from speeding
- 8,086 hit-and-run crashes
- 7,271 crashes linked to driving under the influence (DUI)
Of California’s 58 counties, Los Angeles boasts some of the highest figures for car crashes in the state.
3. The Same Behaviors Cause Most LA Car Crashes
Although car crashes can happen at any moment, for any number of reasons, some unique contributing factors are involved in the most common car crashes in Los Angeles.
Whether you commute daily or only use your vehicle for weekend getaways, it’s essential to understand the behaviors and actions that could increase the odds of a car accident.
Drunk Driving
Nearly 30% of all vehicle crash fatalities in California involve DUI or DWI.
DUI is a serious legal offense that puts lives at risk of injury and death. It’s no surprise that this negligent practice results in hundreds of fatalities in Los Angeles and across California every year.
Driving drunk inhibits a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle and may lead to the following:
- Loss of judgment
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Reduced reaction times
- Blurred vision
The odds of a catastrophic injury increase whenever a drunk driver gets behind the wheel.
Speeding and Moving Violations
Los Angeles police enforce strict speed limits to keep motorists safe. Depending on the environment, speed limits fluctuate to correspond with congestion and traffic flow.
In 2020, speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic collisions. Whenever drivers fail to follow speed limits, they can lose control of a vehicle, run a red light, hit pedestrians, and cause other traffic catastrophes.
Distracted Driving
According to the CDC, distracted driving is one of the leading risks of car crashes in the United States. In 2019, over 3,100 people were killed and 424,000 injured due to distracted driving.
Any road is dangerous, and operating a vehicle poses a risk at all times. Whenever a motorist takes their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road, inattention can result in serious injuries.
Saeedian Law Group represents victims in personal injury claims across Los Angeles. If you were injured by a negligent driver, contact us today for a free consultation.
