San Diego is known as “America’s Finest City” because of its location on the Pacific Ocean’s coast in Southern California. The city is known for its miles of white-sand beaches and beautiful weather, but it also has a variety of fun attractions for visitors of all ages.
San Diego is the second-largest city in California and the eighth-largest city in the United States, with more than 1.3 million people in the city and more than 3 million people in the county. Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Point Loma, Chula Vista, Old Town, La Jolla, and North Park are among the county’s 18 incorporated cities and towns, as well as other charismatic neighborhoods and communities.
Due to the hustle-and-bustle in San Diego, it’s no wonder why there are frequent accidents involving vehicles in that area. That’s why it’s also important to contact a car accident lawyer in San Diego County should you or a family member get involved in a wreck.
All accidents involving injuries or fatalities must be reported under California law. If you’re in an accident in San Diego, call the local police department. You must notify the California Highway Patrol if your accident happens on the highway. Even if an officer from the SDPD or the CHP does not arrive on the scene to take your report, you must still follow these reporting guidelines:
- Any accident involving injuries or fatalities must be reported.
- You and your passengers must produce identification when a police officer arrives at the scene of an accident.
- You must provide the owner’s information if the vehicle you’re driving belongs to someone else.
- If a police officer fails to arrive at the scene of an accident involving an injury or death, you must file a counter-report as soon as possible. A counter-report can be filed with a local police department or a highway patrol station.
- If you cannot make a report, the vehicle owner must do so on your behalf.
- The California Highway Patrol has the authority to seek additional information from witnesses, drivers, and passengers.
WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AN AUTO ACCIDENT
It is absolutely essential that you get out of harm’s way as soon as possible after an automobile collision to protect yourself from further injury. While you’re waiting for the cops, try not to get into any details about what happened. Attempting to do so could jeopardize your ability to recover damages in the future. Be sure to exchange information with the other driver as appropriate.
Upon the arrival of the police, provide the officer with your driver’s license number, insurance information, and vehicle registration number. Provide a factual account of the accident’s progression. In most cases, the police officer will record the names of witnesses, but it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t assume this. You may need these names in the future, so write them down now. Once you’ve got the officer’s name, it’s time to get to work.
After a car accident, the first thing you should do is go to the nearest medical facility to get a complete evaluation. Although you may not feel like you’ve been seriously injured, you should always take this step because many serious injuries don’t immediately manifest themselves. After you’ve recovered, you’ll need to keep a record of your injuries.
Finally, you should seek the assistance of an auto accident lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit against your insurance company. Don’t talk to any insurance adjuster or sign any settlement offers from insurance companies, especially those representing the other driver’s company. An experienced car accident lawyer who knows how to handle insurance companies is the best option. Doing so will help you avoid making mistakes and focus on your medical treatment following a traumatic experience.
COMMON INJURIES SUFFERED IN A CAR ACCIDENT
Any part of your body can be injured in a car accident. Accident injury lawyers have handled a wide range of cases involving a wide range of ailments, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more. Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries. Examples of these common injuries include:
- Head injuries/traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries/whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
Injuries sustained in a car accident can have long-term consequences for the victim. Emotional/psychological injuries are the cause of these injuries. Compensation for all types of injuries caused by a negligent or reckless driver should be included in any legal action to recover damages.
CAR ACCIDENT STATISTICS FOR SAN DIEGO, CA.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, at least one person was injured or killed in over 19,000 San Diego traffic accidents in 2014. This includes all types of vehicles, including pedestrians, in car accidents. Specifically, in that calendar year, Listed below are the following number of injuries and fatalities:
- Overall: 19,236
- Alcohol-involved accidents: 2,233
- Motorcycle accidents: 1,470
- Pedestrian accidents: 1,223
- Bicycle accidents: 1,059
More than a quarter of these accidents were caused by drivers speeding. More than 11% of these accidents were caused by intoxication. This means that thousands of people in San Diego are injured in car accidents each year.
Featured Image by PDPhotos from Pixabay
