Most Accident Prone Roads In Los Angeles
There are several roads in Los Angeles that are accident-prone because of many factors such as heavy traffic (pedestrians and trucks), narrow lanes (vehicle and bike lanes), poor road conditions, and high speeds. Some examples of where accidents happen the most in Los Angeles are:
- Interstate 405 (I-405) Accidents: Also known as the San Diego freeway, the I-405 is one of the busiest freeways in the United States. During rush hour, vehicles travel at high rates of speed to get home in a short amount of time. There is an accident on the I-405 almost every day, and there are several fatalities that happen each year. The freeway is known for its stop-and-go traffic.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Accidents: The I-10 is considered to be the fourth longest freeway in the United States. It connects several states together. I-10 runs east-west through Los Angeles and is also known for heavy traffic congestion. The freeway is also older, so it is known for its narrow lanes. The I-10 is known for its accidents near downtown Los Angeles.
- Interstate 110 (I-110): I-110 is the oldest freeway in California. The freeway does not have any emergency lanes and has about three to four lanes on each side. The freeway goes through several communities, such as Highland park. I-110 runs north-south through Los Angeles and is known for its sharp curves. Many drivers also speed at high rates, increasing the risk of an accident. Accidents on I-110 are common, particularly in the South Bay and Harbor areas.
- Hollywood Boulevard: Hollywood Boulevard is a popular tourist destination, but it is also known for heavy traffic and frequent accidents. Reasons for this is because of the heavy congestion, with pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, bus drivers, and car drivers all sharing the same roads. The street is also known for its constant construction work going on.
- Wilshire Boulevard: Wilshire Boulevard is a major east-west thoroughfare in Los Angeles, and connects downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills. Accidents are very likely during times of high traffic. There has been an increase in the number of law enforcement on the street since many illegally drive on the bus lanes.
- Sunset Boulevard: Sunset Boulevard is a popular route through Hollywood, but it is also known for its frequent accidents. The street has several hundreds of businesses, such as restaurants and cafes, that make it difficult for parking, and increase traffic.
When driving on any of the above roads, it is important to be alert and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. You should also be from any distractions, such as texting or eating.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen In Los Angeles?
Pedestrian Accidents can lead to very severe injuries that will require medical treatment. In the event that you have been involved in an accident as a pedestrian, you have the right to hold the other negligent driver responsible for the injuries that you have suffered. Reasons why pedestrian accidents are common in Los Angeles include:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers could get easily distracted by their phones, GPS systems or radios may not see pedestrians crossing the street or other vehicles trying to make a turn.
- Poor Visibility: Pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur at night when it is dark and harder to see pedestrians crossing the street. If you are to walk at night, we recommend that you wear highly reflective clothing so oncoming vehicles could see you.
- Speeding: Drivers who are driving at high speeds above the speed limit may not have enough time to come to a stop or slow down in the event a pedestrian is crossing the street.
- Jaywalking: Currently, California has made jaywalking legal in certain areas where it is reasonably safe to cross the street. This depends on the circumstances of the jaywalking area, including any traffic lights and the next available safe crosswalk. Drivers should constantly be alert for any jaywalkers.
- Drunk Driving: Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs may have slower reaction times. This means that in the event there is a pedestrian crossing the street, they may not come to a complete stop, and may collide with pedestrians. Drunk driving accidents are very common at night or early morning.
- Failure To Yield: California law requires that drivers yield to pedestrians at designated crosswalks and intersections. In the event that a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian, they may be responsible under a California pedestrian accident lawsuit.
- Poor Road Design: Not all roads were initially designed with safety in mind. Several roads that were constructed several decades ago may not have proper designs, which may increase the risk of an accident.
To prevent pedestrian accidents in California, both drivers and pedestrians should be aware of their surroundings and drive at reasonably safe speeds. Drivers should make sure that they keep a safe space with other cars, and they drive at a safe speed to come to a complete stop so they could yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians should make sure that drivers are able to see them when crossing a marked intersection.
Los Angeles Lawsuit Freeway Investigations
If you have been involved in a freeway or street accident in Los Angeles and are considering filing a lawsuit, it is important that you understand the process for investigating the accident and filing a claim. We will go into more specifics during your initial consultation, but below are just some examples of steps that we need to take in order to file a lawsuit:
- Investigation: After the accident, an investigation will be conducted, either by your attorney or by the insurance company, to determine the cause of the accident and to gather evidence to support your claim. During this time several different types of evidence are looked at, including medical bills, pictures of the accident scene, statements from eyewitnesses, and videos of the accident.
- Filing a Claim: When you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, they may launch an investigation themselves. It is very important that you refrain from speaking to any insurance company and adjusters before talking to your Los Angeles attorney first. Our highly qualified accident attorneys could also help you fill out the claim.
- Negotiations: After a claim is filed, the insurance company could begin negotiating with your attorney.
- Lawsuit: If both parties are not able to negotiate a settlement amount, then they will likely have to go to trial.
We recommend that you speak to a highly qualified attorney prior to filing a claim with an insurance company or filing a lawsuit. Given that there are so many different vehicles on the road in California, you might be involved in a multi-car accident. Multi-car accidents may take months to investigate. That is why an experienced car accident attorney will be able to navigate through this legal process.
Give us a call today so we can discuss the different options that you may have. If you have been involved in any of the above accidents, contact our experienced legal staff today. In the event that you have been involved in an accident at a location that is not mentioned on this page, feel free to still give our attorneys a call.