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Do More Car Crashes Happen Close to Home in California?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
image of neighborhood road at sunset.Drivers often relax significantly once they are within a few miles of where they live. Despite being close to home and in a familiar area, a car crash can still happen. In this article, our attorneys at Arnold Law Firm discuss Sacramento car crashes that happen close to home, including some of the common causes and how to avoid them. Have you been injured in a traffic accident close to home? If so, we recommend seeking legal help as soon after your crash as possible. Our firm has been advocating for justice on behalf of injured crash victims for decades. If you are not sure whether you have a case, you can call to request a consultation with one of our attorneys to discuss your situation. There is no cost and no risk for this meeting.

Request your FREE case review today. (916) 777-7777

Why Do Drivers Get Into Car Crashes Close to Home?

Drivers get into car crashes close to home for many reasons. Some of the most common reasons include: Familiar Areas and Routine Routes It is common to relax when driving in a familiar area, such as your neighborhood, especially if you drive it every day. Taking the same route to and from your destination each day is another factor that increases the likelihood a driver will “zone out” behind the wheel. In either situation, drivers may let their guard down and get too comfortable, which could cause them to stop focusing on the road. Distractions When drivers are traveling on a well-known route, they are more likely to talk or text on the phone. They may start thinking about what they are doing for dinner or what they have to do before the next day. Driving while distracted or allowing your mind to drift off behind the wheel could cause you to miss someone darting into the road. You might even fail to notice a neighborhood stop sign or red light. Running through these traffic signals could cause you to hit another vehicle that had the right of way. Local Traffic Traffic patterns around neighborhoods are much different from traffic patterns on highways or other busy roads. Residential areas have more stop signs, pedestrian crossings and intersections. While these areas are convenient for people commuting on foot or on a bicycle, it creates more opportunities for a distracted driver to injure someone in an accident. Speed Drivers need to change their speed multiple times during their route due to varying speed limits posted in different areas. When people get too familiar with a route, they may not notice speed limit changes. Traveling too fast through certain areas, such as in a residential neighborhood or near a school, could lead to a crash. Parking and Driveway Hazards Most neighborhood streets are filled with parked cars and other obstacles that can make it difficult for drivers to pass. If drivers are not paying close attention, they may collide with a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist. Fatigue Many drivers get behind the wheel when they feel  tired. This situation is especially common for workers driving home after a long day at work Fatigue can affect their judgment and reaction times.

What Tips Could Help You Avoid a Car Crash Close to Home?

Some key tips that could help to reduce your risk of getting into an auto accident close to home include:
  • Remind yourself not to let a familiar area allow you to become careless. Turn off your music close to home, leave your phone off and stay focused on the roads.
  • Follow traffic laws, speed limits and other rules of the road no matter where you are driving.
  • Be mindful as you go past your neighbor’s driveways, keeping in mind they may be pulling in or backing out.
  • Keep a close watch for animals and children playing in or around driveways. Small children, especially, can be impulsive and forget to look before running into the street. Even teens may zip around a neighborhood on a scooter or bicycle, while others may jaywalk unexpectedly. Traveling slower through these areas and paying attention gives you more time to stop if the unexpected happens.
  • Avoid parking your vehicle on the side of the street, if possible. This step can help to ensure your vehicle does not get hit by someone else.
  • Get neighbors involved in watching out for each other. Keep an eye out for other drivers going too fast through your neighborhood and report them.
  • Avoid driving on very short trips. If you only have to travel a couple of blocks, consider walking instead.

What To Do After an Accident Close to Home

Drivers have a legal duty to others to remain alert and follow traffic laws at all times. While many drivers take reasonable steps to look out for themselves and others, a car crash may still occur. Your most important step after any car crash is to get examined at a nearby emergency room right away. This step helps to protect your health—even if you don’t think you were injured. Getting examined by a doctor also creates a medical record. This documentation provides key evidence that helps to link your injuries to the crash that caused them.

Need Legal Help After Being Injured in a Car Crash? Call Arnold Law Firm Today

If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence while driving close to home, we encourage you to seek legal help as soon as possible. At Arnold Law Firm, our experienced car crash attorneys in Sacramento have been helping the injured for decades. During that time, we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients. Contact our law offices today, or anytime, to find out if you may have a valid case. We do not charge you any upfront costs or fees. We only get paid if you do.

Request your FREE case review today by calling us at (916) 777-7777

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.