California’s Orange County is home to over 3.1 million residents and over 2.8 million registered vehicles as of 2014. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles report, there were 230,853 collisions in the OC in 2014. A further breakdown shows:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are an average of 32,500 traffic accidents in the OC every year. A further breakdown of the 2014 statistics show:
Some OC cities have higher incidences of auto collisions than others. In general, the higher population in the northern part of the OC means that there is a higher incidence of accidents in that area than in the southern portion. According to the State-wide Integrated Traffic Records System, the five cities with the highest rates of auto collisions in 2014 per 1,000 people in descending order are:
The cities with the fewest accidents per 1,000 people in 2014 are:
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol presents a serious potential for injury in the OC: on average, the probability of fatal car collisions increases by 551% in the OC when drugs or alcohol are a factor. Speeding also increases the probability of an accident due to the decrease in response and stopping time. Distracted driving and texting while driving are also risk factors that contribute to collisions. Human error is an inescapable factor that contributes to the probability of accidents. In order to remain safe while driving, motorists should also exercise extra caution when traveling in adverse road or weather conditions.
Auto collisions can occur at any time and have devastating and long-lasting effects. Victims of car accidents can suffer personal injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, and economic losses such as medical bills and lost wages. In California, the statute of limitations for filing a traffic accident lawsuit is two years. If you or your property have suffered losses or injury due to a car accident, our Orange County car accident attorneys can help you recover compensation. Call (800) 838-6644 today to obtain a free consultation from lawyers who have helped recover over $1 billion.