[profileleft][/profileleft]There is a cause or causes for every Orange County car accident. People who drive regularly in this area would be well-served to know the nature of the primary causes for these crashes. If motorists understand the most common violations associated with these collisions, they may avoid these common mistakes. At this point, tens of thousands of Orange County car accidents occur every year. Hopefully a heightened level of awareness will bring these numbers down. Below you’ll find data that lays out the most common PCF violations, or Primary Collision Factor violations, recorded in conjunction with accidents that occurred during the calendar year of 2015.
Orange County Car Accident Data – 5 Most Common PCF Violations
A PCF violation is basically a mistake or reckless act committed by at least one driver that caused the crash in question. The University of California-Berkeley records crash data from across the state. This database can be found here. Below are the 5 most common PCF violations associated with every Orange County car accident from last year:
- Unsafe speed – 35.2 percent of accidents
- Automobile right of way – 17 percent of accidents
- Improper turning – 10.5 percent of accidents
- Traffic signals and signs – 9.7 percent of accidents
- Driving or bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs – 6.7 percent of accidents
We have all seen other motorists driving at unsafe speeds. Many of us, some of us regularly or habitually, exceed the speed limit from time to time. It’s no accident that speeders cause an enormous number of traffic accidents. Moving at a faster rate of speed cuts down the room to maneuver a vehicle and the time to execute those maneuvers.
Improper turns, right of way errors and problems with traffic signals and signs are also extremely common mistakes. Since many of these are made in close proximity to other vehicles, it should stand to reason that a high number of collisions are caused by these missteps. By now we have all heard about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants. Unfortunately, too many people continue to make this bad decision.
Orange County Car Accident Damages
When someone commits a violation such as those listed above and people are injured or worse as a result, those who are wrongfully injured can take steps to recapture their losses. The following are examples of common types of damages that are incurred when someone is harmed in a crash because of the negligence or recklessness of someone else:
- Property damage
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
There are several other types of damages that can be recovered, as each situation is somewhat different. The best way to find out what can be recaptured is to seek the legal advice of an Orange County car accident lawyer who understands how to protect and enforce the legal rights of clients. Contact Gomez Trial Attorneys as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation.