Personal injury & car accidents statistics in southern california

Each year, thousands of Southern California residents sustain personal injuries, often through no fault of their own. At Lem Garcia Law, we work with personal injury clients every day, doing whatever it takes to resolve their cases and get them the best possible settlements. This guide will highlight the leading causes of personal injury in Southern California and introduce you to our firm’s practice areas.

Automobile Accidents

Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence in Southern California. In 2017, a reported 485,866 automobile accidents resulted in 276,823 injuries and 3,898 deaths. In fact, California accounts for 11% of the country’s automobile-related deaths. The most dangerous counties for car accidents include Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Riverside — all Southern California counties.

Automobile accidents are commonly caused by:

• Speeding.
• Driving under the influence.
• Aggressive driving.
• Distracted driving.
• Fatigue.
• Mechanical vehicle defects.
• Improper turning.
• Improper car maintenance.

As much as 80% of car crashes involve some type of driver inattention. In fact, 74.8% of Californians have admitted to using a mobile phone while driving. The injuries resulting from these accidents can range from minor scrapes to traumatic brain injuries.

Bicycle Accidents

We’re lucky to live in a beautiful, sunny region with a temperate climate, which makes Southern California one of the best places to cycle. However, motor vehicles aren’t the only major cause of injury throughout Southern California.

Unfortunately, approximately 42,000 cyclists are injured annually either from unsafe road conditions or from motor vehicle drivers not paying attention to cyclists. Due to the exposed nature of bicycles, the injuries resulting from bicycle accidents can be traumatic.

As a result of the severity associated with bicycle injuries, insurance coverage is often depleted before a victim has recovered enough to get back to work. That’s where an experienced bicycle injury lawyer can help you get every possible benefit owed to you.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

One of the most common personal injuries in California is the simple slip and fall. A slip and fall is a type of premises liability accident caused by someone else’s negligence.

On average, 800,000 Californians are hospitalized each year due to a trip, slip, or fall. Many of these hospitalizations involve hip fractures or head injuries. Other key statistics as shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include the following:

• Over 95% of hip fractures are the result of falls.
• Falling is the most common cause of traumatic brain injury.
• One out of every five falls results in a serious injury, such as a head injury or broken bones.
• In 2015, the total medical cost associated with slip-and-fall accidents in California was over $50 billion.

Slip-and-fall accidents are often caused by:

• Loose carpeting.
• Plumbing leaks.
• Spills.
• Uneven flooring.
• Freshly mopped floors.
• Slippery floors due to wax or oil.
• Icy walkways or stairs.
• Failure to place warning signs about wet floors or other known hazards.
• Unsafe construction sites.
• Broken furniture.
• Missing or broken railings.
• Uncovered cords or cables.

In the case of a slip-and-fall accident where the fault lies with the property owner, the victim is entitled to compensation.

Defective Products

As a consumer, you expect the products you buy to work as advertised. Unfortunately, defective products cause thousands of serious injuries in California each year.

A product might be deemed defective due to many reasons. It may function exactly the way it was meant to, but something in the design causes an injury even with normal use. Perhaps the manufacturer failed to provide adequate information on how to use an item or the product was misrepresented in some way.

In California, an injured consumer can bring a product liability lawsuit against a person or entity responsible for a defective product.

Dog Bites

For many of us, our pets are family. Sadly, not everyone treats dogs with the love, care, and companionship they deserve. Whether due to neglect or animal abuse, some dogs become aggressive. A beloved dog could also act aggressively toward others, regardless of its upbringing.

According to the CDC, approximately 4.7 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. As many as 80,000 of those injuries require medical care. In 2015, dog bites accounted for 28,000 surgeries across the country.

Dog bites in California have also been increasing during the last 10 years. From 2010 to 2015, emergency room visits due to dog bites soared from 35,000 to 38,000. Children are also at a greater risk of dog bites, making up 79% of fatal dog attacks.

When a dog attacks, California law sides with the victim, awarding financial compensation to help cover medical bills and emotional trauma. If you’ve been the victim of a dog bite, it’s important to speak with an attorney right away.

Work Injuries

Throughout Southern California, workplace injuries are common. In fact, more than 312,000 Californians are injured each year by objects they were caught between or by objects that went flying through the air. These types of injuries typically occur in industrial or construction work sites.

Workplaces that fail to maintain proper Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards dramatically increase the likelihood of on-the-job injuries. Fortunately, workers’ compensation is codified in the California Labor Code. By law, employers must carry an insurance plan to cover their employees for work-related illnesses or injuries. In exchange, employees are prevented from filing personal injury lawsuits. However, you still can hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to help navigate your claim.

Getting hurt on the job can force you into challenging legal waters. You might be wondering how you’ll pay your medical bills, how you’ll provide for your family, or how you’ll work in the future if the injury is severe. With an experienced firm such as Lem Garcia Law on your side, you’ll have the legal help you need in a time of crisis and unpredictability.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to another person’s negligent acts, you have the right to compensation. Contact Lem Garcia Law for your 100% free case evaluation today.