Why are there so many accidents at Mission Viejo intersections? Why do intersection accidents often result in serious injuries?
3 Important Takeaways about why there are so many accidents at Mission Viejo and Orange County California Intersections:
- There are a lot of pedestrians and bicyclists in Mission Viejo and Orange County California. Drivers may not be expecting a pedestrian to step of the curb, or see a bicyclist, resulting in sudden action to avoid a pedestrian accident, while causing a car accident.
- The leading causes of a car accidents at Mission Viejo intersections and throughout the Los Angeles reason are the failure to yield the right of way, distracted driving, failing to stop at a red light or stop sign, and misjudgment of oncoming vehicles.
- Unfortunately, head-on and side-impact accidents at an intersection often result in serious and potentially permanent injuries. Recent advances in technology inside and outside of modern motor vehicles has helped to reduce the severity of injury at lower speeds.
The US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration refers to intersections as “planned points of contact.” Planned points of contact are where vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists pass through an intersection. They are usually designed to provide good visibility and are often controlled by traffic devices such as a stop light or sign.
Unfortunately, recent studies show intersections are one of the most common locations for an accident in Orange County, and throughout the State of California. Why are there so many accidents at Mission Viejo intersections? The leading causes of intersection-related accidents include a failure to yield to the right of way to other vehicles, distractions such as texting or cell phone use, and the failure to obey traffic control devices, including coming to a full stop at a red light or stop sign. Turning left is one of the most common reasons for becoming involved in an accident at any intersection. Drivers should exercise additional caution when entering any intersection, but especially when planning to make a left turn.
Another common reason cited by police reports is the failure to properly judge the speed and actions of other vehicles in and around the intersection. Unfortunately, it is quite common to presume another driver approaching the same intersection will come to a full stop, or yield to your vehicle. Misjudgment of other drivers actions and intentions is often an important ingredient in accidents resulting in injury.
Recent advances in technology and designed safety in today’s motor vehicles has helped to significantly reduce the likelihood of serious injury in a head-on or rear-end collision. Some vehicles provide advanced safety features such as side-curtains but most vehicles provide far less protection from a side impact. The forces associated with a side-impact accident at an intersection cause the human body to quickly snap back and forth, left and right in fractions of a second. This causes severe stress on the neck and back and often results in head injury.
Injuries in these accidents are often more serious including closed head trauma and traumatic brain injury, broken bones and fractures as well as serious neck and back injuries which can result in a permanent loss in the range of motion of a limb or even paralysis.
National authorities as well as California officials are working to understand why there are so many accidents at Mission Viejo intersections and at intersections throughout the state. They continuously strive to improve the design of intersections, while reducing associated speeds and more carefully monitoring and control the flow of vehicles in our intersections. Newer designs provide special consideration and separate lanes for bicycle traffic and to make it easier to see and avoid pedestrian injury.
Why are there so many accidents at Mission Viejo intersections? Failure to yield right of way, distraction, speed, and failure to anticipate the action of other drivers. How can you reduce the odds of becoming injured in an intersection accident? Slow down as you approach any intersection. Watch for and anticipate unexpected actions from other drivers who might turn into your path while approaching from a different direction. Eliminate all distractions in your own vehicle, especially cell phone use and other issues which might take your eyes off the road as you approach any intersection.
If you are injured in a car accident in Mission Viejo, or anywhere in Orange County California, Los Angeles, or the Inland Empire, we invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and the legal industry as well as our successful verdicts and settlements and contact Rivers Morrell or call today to speak with Rivers personally for a free, substantive consultation at (949) 305-1400. There is no cost to you out of pocket as we work on a contingency fee basis.
