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About Los Angeles Accident Center

Los Angeles Accident Center was created to provide useful information for anyone who has been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence in Los Angeles and throughout the state of California. Author and attorney Sherwin Arzani and his team have over 17 years of personal injury experience. If you have been injured in accident, you will find useful information to assist you during this difficult time.


Car Accidents Return as Los Angeles Eases COVID-19 Restrictions

If you are a resident of Los Angeles, you probably know that there was a significant decline in traffic during the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, there were fewer traffic accidents and car crashes. However, note that after a considerable drop in fatalities during the last 2 weeks of March, when the city’s stay-at-home order was implemented, the LA Police Department is reporting an alarming increase in traffic death on city streets.

Emptier Roads Pose a Greater Danger in Los Angeles

Although because of the novel coronavirus, more people are staying at home and also driving less, keep in mind that new data reveals that emptier roads can actually be more dangerous. According to the preliminary data from the National Safety Council, the death rates per mile driven significantly increased by 14 percent nationally in March compared to the previous year. 

You may be surprised to know that the sudden increase in deaths is linked with a surge of speeding on LA streets that are emptier than usual. And this is a cause of concern for the traffic and law enforcement authorities in the city. According to the LAPD, the increase in fatality rates can also be attributed to a higher number of people walking as well as biking in their neighborhoods. And in the first half of May, 21 people died in auto accidents, including 3 people who died in an unfortunate high-speed car crash on Imperial Highway in Willowbrook.

A Deadly Combination

The combination of activities curtailed, schools closed, summer jobs canceled, and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions could prove deadly. This is especially true as teenagers take to the road this summer. According to AAA, now is an excellent time for parents to not only model safe driving behaviors but also help ensure that their teenagers practice them, as well.

Did you know that as coronavirus stay at home orders were lifted, “total loss” car crashes increased 2% nationwide? This shows the importance of road safety and vigilance. These car crashes are so severe that the relevant insurance company will deem the vehicle a total loss rather than spending money in order to fix it.

Teen Drivers Pose a Higher Risk

Also, it is worth noting that a total of 159 individuals were killed in car crashes involving teenage drivers in Arizona in the last 10 years during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Across the nation, more than 8,300 individuals lost their lives in teen-related summertime automobile crashes between 2008 and 2020. And that is more than 7 people per day each summer as compared to the rest of the year, representing 6 people per day.

City Officials are turning to Technology to Reduce the Risk of Accidents 

Did you know that speed levels are up by as much as 30 percent on some streets in Los Angeles?  This is why Los Angeles officials and law enforcement personnel have turned to technology to help curb speeding. The officials are also trying to prevent residents from tinkering with various pedestrian walk signals. They also decided to leave a majority of LA’s 5,000 traffic lights on nighttime settings. 

Note that the traffic lights in Los Angeles are usually synchronized so that drivers can easily get the green light at multiple intersections in a row. However, at night, when speeding is more common as streets are emptier, each traffic light works as a separate unit. And this means that drivers are considerably less likely to encounter a wave of green lights, and, hence, will be compelled to stop. 

And that is not all; the city has also deactivated pedestrian push buttons at many crosswalks so that people don’t have to risk contagion by pushing these buttons. Also, note that the slightly longer light cycles will force more drivers to stop.

The aftermath of a Los Angeles car accident can be a confusing and anxiety-ridden time. You might be in shock and extremely shaken from the accident itself, and might have sustained grave bodily injuries as the result of another person’s negligence.  Depending on the specific circumstances of your car accident, you may be eligible for damages or compensation. 

How a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney can help you

If you are involved in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you may experience physical, mental, and financial harm. If you were seriously injured in a car crash, you might not be able to work while seeing your medical expenses, as well as regular bills, mount alarmingly. If you have sustained an injury or loss because of reckless driving in Los Angeles, you should discuss the circumstances of your personal injury with a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney. 

How Safe Are Motor Scooters in California?

Motor scooters first came on the market in the 1900s and they have since gained immense popularity.  The most common brand of motor scooter is the Vespa. The Vespa was designed in Europe after WWII as an easier means to get around since many streets were impassible because they had been destroyed during the war. This new form of transportation allowed Europeans to move around again and aided in rebuilding cities.

In California, motor scooter use is the most evident in large cities like Los Angeles and San Diego. They are used with higher frequency in populated areas to avoid parking issues and help alleviate traffic woes.

However, like motorcycles, motor scooters are prone to crashes and accidents. This is mostly due to their smaller size, lower speeds, and the inability of other drivers to see them. There are precautions an operator can take to ensure that they are driving safely and that they arrive at their destination without harm.

What is a Motor Scooter?

A motor scooter is a two-wheeled vehicle that has a footrest platform and a step-through frame. Unlike many motorcycles, they are designed for only one rider. The motor size for a scooter is small and usually between 50cc and 250cc. They are generally run by electric charging and they operate on 10-inch wheels. Motor scooters are beneficial because they are easier to maneuver in large cities and smaller spaces.

Motor scooters are sometimes confused with mopeds. However, mopeds are less used in America, are smaller, have less powerful engines, and operate at a slower speed. In California, motor scooters are defined as either motorcycles or motor-driven cycles, depending on the engine size.  

To be classified as a motorcycle, the engine size must be 150cc or greater. If a motor scooter meets this classification, it needs to be registered at the local DMV as a motorcycle. The driver also needs to obtain an M1 motorcycle license.

If the motor scooter has an engine size of 149cc or less, it is classified as a motor-driven cycle. The majority of motor scooters will fit into this category and can usually only reach speeds of 30 mph or less. Motor-driven cycles also need to be registered with the local DMV and the driver must obtain an M1 motorcycle license.

Common Motor Scooter Accidents

Many motor scooter accidents are similar to those that are commonly seen with motorcycles. These are usually attributed to either operator error or other drivers not seeing the motor scooter. 

Aggressive Drivers: Motor scooters operate at a lower speed, which can exacerbate the possibility of a collision because other drivers want to go faster. The other drivers may act erratically to get around or cut off the driver of the motor scooter. A car could also easily sideswipe the motor scooter if they are trying to get around them to make a turn or go faster.

Rear-End Crashes: Rear-end collisions are also a big threat to motor scooter drivers. This is because the scooter is smaller and harder to see. A car may not be able to brake fast enough when approaching a scooter that is at a stoplight or waiting to make a turn. Additionally, a car may over or underestimate the distance between the car and motor scooter, which could also cause an accident.

Loss of Control: Finally, another common motor scooter accident is losing control of the vehicle. Because the scooters are smaller and can maneuver in reduced spaces, an untrained driver can easily lose control and crash or fall over. They could also tumble off the vehicle if they take a turn too quickly or stop abruptly.

California Motor Scooter Safety

If the scooter qualifies as a motorcycle, it can be driven on the highway. If it qualifies as a motor-driven cycle, it cannot be operated on a freeway or highway if there are explicit signs that forbid their use on that particular road. Like motorcycles, motor scooters cannot be driven on bike lanes. Smaller vehicles like electric scooters can use bike lanes if they meet certain California regulations.

Regardless of the engine size, in California, any person operating a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle must wear a Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant helmet during operation of the vehicle. Basic safety tips can also help keep drivers safe and sound including:

  • Do not drive or take precautions when driving in rainy, windy, or snowy weather
  • Travel on lightly crowded or local roads, rather than large highways
  • Wear brightly colored clothing to make sure other drivers can always see you, and
  • Follow all road rules and never drive without a helmet.

If you could find yourself in a motor scooter accident in California, don’t hesitate to call an attorney for help. You could be entitled to compensation if someone else is at least partly to blame.

What Happens If Others Try to Blame Me for a Car Accident?

Imagine that you were in a car accident. You were not at fault and there is significant damage to your car. You may even have had injuries that needed medical attention.

Now, imagine that the other driver, the one who was actually at fault, decided to blame you for the accident. What do you do to protect yourself and make sure that you are not found to be responsible for the accident?

Sadly, it is a common occurrence for the responsible party to blame others for the accident. There are many reasons they may do this including not wanting their insurance rates to go up or not wanting to get in trouble if any driving laws were broken. They may also claim that you were fully or partially at fault so that they have to pay you less money if you sue them for the accident.  

What to Do at the Time of the Accident

The first thing you need to do is to make sure everyone is okay. Then, call the police. Call a non-emergency line if it is a minor accident. If it is a major accident, call 9-1-1 and report the accident and any injuries.

If possible, move the vehicles out of traffic to the side of the road. Do not make any statements about the accident and wait for the police to arrive.

No matter how small the accident it, you want to get a police report filed. This is helpful to identify the drivers, describe the cars and the accident, and collect driver information. 

You want to also gather as much evidence as possible. Make sure to take pictures of the accident and the damage to any car. Try to capture driving conditions and any other factor that may have added to the accident. This information may be used in the future if there is a trial.

Know the Law

When a traffic accident goes to civil court and one driver is suing another, the person filing the suit must be able to show that the other driver was negligent. Negligence can be found in several ways, including: 

  • Drunk driving,
  • Breaking a traffic law
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving without headlights when required, or
  • Driving a car that is defective.

It can also be found by pedestrians or other non-drivers in ways such as jaywalking, breaking bicycling laws, or interfering with a driver.

Even if you can prove negligence, the other driver may not be fully liable for the accident if they can establish that there was a form shared fault. Shared fault is when more than one person caused or contributed to the accident. Shared fault defenses vary by state and are one of the following types:

1) Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence means that the court will distribute fault among the parties involved in the accident. This means that one party could be found liable for 30% of the accident and the other is found to be responsible for 70%. The one who was found to be 30% responsible can only recover 70% of their requested compensation because they cannot be reimbursed for their percentage of the cause of the accident.

Most states have adopted some form of comparative fault. In pure comparative negligence states like California, accident victims can always recover some compensation if they were injured. This is regardless of their amount of negligence, even if their fault level is higher than the other driver’s.

Other states had adopted modified comparative fault rules. This generally means that an accident victim is limited from recovery if their fault in the accident reaches a certain degree. For example, after a car accident in Pennsylvania, the defendant’s fault must be 50% or more for the other driver to recover any compensation.

2) Contributory Negligence

Contributory fault means that if you are found to have contributed to the accident in any way, you will not be able to recover compensation. The degree of your fault can be small or large but the result will be the same. You will be barred from being able to claim any sort of payment. This is a harsher form of shared fault and only a few states still use this including North Carolina and Virginia.

What to Do Next?

If you are planning on suing another driver or you are being sued, your first step should be to hire a personal injury lawyer. They should have extensive experience with car accident lawsuits in your jurisdiction.

If you are in a comparative or modified comparative negligence state, your lawyer will work to help calculate your fault to the lowest percentage possible. In a contributory negligence state, your lawyer will seek to show that you were not responsible for the accident in any way and you should be able to recover compensation.