When am I Most Likely to Be in a California Car Accident?
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality on California’s congested, heavily traveled roads. No matter how carefully you drive, you always run the risk of distracted drivers, drunk drivers, speeding motorists, and drivers with road rage finding you and causing an accident. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), some days and times are more dangerous than others to get on the road and best avoided if possible. If you’re involved in a crash and injured, a California car accident attorney can help you understand your options and advise whether you may be entitled to compensation.
Most Dangerous Times to Drive
When a Rainstorm Begins
The Federal Highway Administration found nearly 1 in 5 motor vehicle accidents are due to weather. Many occur just after it begins to rain. In places like California, stretches of dry weather allow oil and grease to build up on busy roads – a small amount of water brings those slick substances to the surface and renders roads slippery until it is washed off the roadway as rain continues.
Between Midnight and 3am
Avoid driving between the hours of midnight and 3am if possible, especially on weekends. The American Automobile Association reports this is the time frame when most fatalities from drunk driving accidents take place.
Afternoon Rush Hour
Even though rush hour in California can seem to last all afternoon and well into the evening, the NHTSA found most car accidents occur between 3pm and 6pm. The higher volume of traffic equates to more chances for crashes to happen. Motorists in busy cities like Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, and San Diego commonly face bumper-to-bumper traffic and stop-and-go driving; this means even a split second of inattention can result in a rear-end accident or sideswipe from failing to stop or changing lanes without looking.
Holidays Involving Alcohol
Drinking holidays are a time to exercise extreme caution when driving or consider using a rideshare service. More than 100 million people travel during holidays, but frighteningly many more than normal get behind the wheel intoxicated. The most dangerous holidays are:
- New Year’s,
- Christmas,
- Memorial Day,
- Labor Day,
- Easter, and
- Independence Day
However, any celebratory occasion or large event – St. Patrick’s Day and Super Bowl Sunday, for example – should also give reason for heightened awareness of drunk drivers. On New Year’s, for example, nearly three times as many fatalities occur in alcohol-related accidents as the rest of the year.
Contact an Attorney Today
No matter how or when a collision happens, someone’s negligence is usually to blame. Even in bad weather, driver error was likely at least a contributing factor. If you or a loved one have been injured by someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced California Car Accident Attorneys at Daneshrad Law today. Attorney Alan Daneshrad has spent years providing professional, skilled representation for victims and delivering results; we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients’ injuries and will work to do the same for you. Call us 24/7 at (888) 881-3529 to schedule your risk-free initial case consultation. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let us evaluate your case and fight for your rights and your recovery. We serve clients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and throughout California.
(*For Informational purposes only. Not intended as legal advice)
