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Southern California is one of the most beautiful places to live in the entire United States. The region is home to pristine beaches, beautiful forests, stunning mountains, and thriving cities. Los Angeles is the largest city in California (not to mention the second-largest in the entire nation) and it is surrounded by cities that are metropolitan areas in their own right – such as Long Beach, California. But if there’s one thing that Southern California lacks, it’s effective mass transit. Because of how spread out the massive population is, Southern California is a place for cars — and that can be a dangerous thing.
There are more than 35 million cars registered in the state of California, and there are times in Southern California cities like Long Beach when it feels like every single one of them is on the road at the same time! That can create a dangerous situation.
Traffic and car accidents in California
There’s a problem with having lots of cars and heavy traffic: it leads to accidents.
That’s common sense, and it’s backed up by studies, too. When there are more cars on the road, there are more chances for accidents to occur. A greater number of cars also means an increase in traffic, which means lots of starting and stopping — more accident bait. And, unfortunately, some negligent drivers react to traffic negligently. Who hasn’t witnessed a reckless driver trying to weave in and out of slow-moving traffic or pass the traffic on the shoulder or breakdown lane?
Californians drive a lot: about 1.5 times the national average, actually. So you’re bound to be on the road a lot here, which, unfortunately, may put you in harm’s way due to the actions of careless drivers.
Reckless drivers hurt innocent people
Reckless driving causes accidents, and that’s a problem in and of itself. Even if reckless and negligent drivers were hurting only themselves and their vehicles, the situation would be upsetting. But the reality is even worse: the reckless and negligent drivers that cause accidents in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and other parts of Southern California frequently put innocent, responsible drivers in harm’s way.
You can and should do everything possible to limit your risk of getting into a car accident. You should invest in a safe vehicle from a reputable car dealership here in Long Beach, and you should practice defensive driving. Learning defensive driving from a driver’s education course could even help lower your insurance premiums!
But even if you do all of this, you’ll still have to worry about the danger of reckless drivers. And you still might end up in a car accident that was no fault of your own.
What to do when a reckless or negligent driver harms you
In the aftermath of an accident, everything can seem to move in slow motion — or in fast motion! It’s hard to keep track of what’s happening and when. But try to stay alert: you need to protect yourself.
After checking your injury status, moving yourself or your car if necessary, and calling the authorities, document the scene yourself and start thinking about your options. You may end up with an injury that costs you more than insurance will cover. If that’s the case, California personal injury law could help you.
In California, explains a Long Beach car accident lawyer, injured parties can sue negligent ones to recover expenses like medical bills and lost wages. If you work with a trusted attorney, you could end up being made whole again.
Long Beach and other parts of Southern California can be dangerous places for drivers. Don’t let your rights go unprotected!
