If you live in Southern California then you live in one of the most dangerous places in the country for car accidents. While there are many statistics we like and many things Southern California leads the country in, our statistics on car accidents are not something we are proud of. In fact, in 2012 Los Angeles was ranked the second most dangerous city in the country for pedestrian accidents.
Not only are the number of accidents higher in Southern California, but the number of hit and run accidents is incredible as well. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, nearly half of the car accidents within L.A. were hit and run accidents. This is compared to a national average of about 10% of accidents being hit and run accidents.
There are steps you can take to make roads safer
If you want to make Southern California roads safer, there are a few things you can do. First, if you see a driver that appears to be drunk then you should call 911. Second, turn off your cell phone before you even stat your vehicle. Leave your phone off until you get where you are going. If you need directions, write them down before you leave.
If you absolutely must talk on a phone while driving, use a hands-free device or pull over to the side of the road. You should always be looking at the road and watching other drivers. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Do not text, eat, or get distracted by passengers when driving. When you come across a crosswalk, slow down and check twice before proceeding.
What to do if you are injured in a car accident
The above steps are great starting points to help you stay safe when driving on Southern California roads. However, there is nothing you can do to prevent 100% of car accidents. If you are involved in a car accident and are injured, then there is one big step to take: Contact a personal injury attorney. Do so after you have received emergency medical attention but before you call your insurance company.
Even if the other party’s insurance is offering you a settlement right away, remember that this is not likely to be the best possible settlement available to you. Why? Because their priority is not the same as yours. Their priority is to keep their bottom line up – which means paying out as little as possible.
This is why you need an attorney on your side. You need someone who understands accident cases and knows what you should reasonably expect to recover. If you are ready to talk to an experienced attorney then we welcome your call to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. We can begin with a free legal consultation.
