Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

Los Angeles can be a difficult place to drive. Dangerous even. LA residents and travelers alike need to be aware of their surroundings. The threat of a car accident, especially in a large area like LA, is always there. Almost half a million commuters drive into LA County from elsewhere each day. That combined with the 7.5 million registered LA County cars, trucks and motorcycles, you can imagine how dangerous It could be to drive in Los Angeles. The risk of a car accident is high. LA is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the United States because of the number of car accident injuries and fatalities. Keep reading to learn more about LA car accident statistics that you may not have known.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

In 2015 Los Angeles officials introduced “Vision Zero.” This initiative was geared to eliminated traffic deaths by 2025. We are now more than halfway into the Vision Zero initiative, and traffic deaths continue to go up rather than down as promised.

In 2021, Los Angeles County experienced a total of 40,669 reported motor vehicle crashes. Using data provided by the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), we’re able to chart the severity of injuries reported in those collisions. Throughout the year, 4,477 motor vehicle collisions in Los Angeles County resulted in severe or fatal injuries (11.01%). 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that even wounds that are not immediately life-threatening can have serious consequences. Long-term medical care, physical therapy, and emotional trauma can substantially burden a victim mentally and financially.

2021 also saw a rise in the following types of LA car accidents:

• Severe DUI crashes (where a driver seriously injured another person)
• Fatal DUI crashes
• Fatal hit-and-run crashes
• Severe hit-and-run crashes
• Car Accidents in which a driver seriously injured a pedestrian
• Crashes in which a driver seriously injured a bicyclist
• Accidents in which a driver killed a bicyclist

Types of Los Angeles Car Accidents

A car crash can occur in many ways. Sometimes, a distracted driver may hit a parked car, sidewalk, or traffic signal. Additionally, a violent collision may occur between multiple motor vehicles. In 2021 alone, over 32% of car accidents were rear end collisions. And almost 3,000 car accidents involved both a vehicle and a pedestrian. Overturned vehicles came in at the lowest rank of known car accident statistics with only 892 overturned vehicles in 2021.

Primary Collision Factors Causing Car Accidents

A primary collision factor (PCF) is the behavior that leads to a collision. This could occur when the driver is driving too fast for the current road conditions. For example, It may be dangerous to drive the actual speed limit when there is heavy rain or fog. Other PCFs include tailgating, failure to follow traffic laws, driving impaired, and even dangerous parking. Things like unsafe speed was the highest contributing factor in car accidents in 2021. Improper turns or incorrectly following the right away of another car caused nearly the same number of collisions. On the far other end of the car accident statistics spectrum only two recorded car accidents were due to a driver falling asleep behind the wheel.

Why Does LA Have So Many Car Accidents?

Citywide safety advocates agree that there is not one thing that is causing car accidents in Los Angeles. Even during the pandemic, when there was fewer cars on the road, LA still saw a rise in car accidents that led to death and injury. City officials do agree that speeding on local streets continues to be a danger. In California speed limits are often increased rather than decreased which puts pedestrians and bicyclists at a higher risk for death or injury.

Car Accident Lawyers Ready to Help Victims

At B|B Law Group, our goal is simple: preserve and protect the legal rights of the people of Southern California. Our award winning team of attorneys are experienced in the fields of personal injury, employment and habitability law, and it is our mission to provide our clients with the best legal representation. We have experienced car accident lawyers standing by ready to help if you or a loved one has been involved in a Los Angeles car accident. Contact us today for a free consolation.

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