San Diego had over 5,600 traffic crashes in 2024 that caused injury or death. This number places the city second only to Los Angeles in the number of car accidents that physically traumatize motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists.
The neighborhood has dozens of crashes annually that cause severe injury or death. Most of the crashes in the area happen on the busiest roads in La Jolla, CA. When you suffer an injury, a La Jolla car accident lawyer from Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers can fight for fair compensation. Call (858) 585-9031 or contact us today for a free consultation.
How Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in La Jolla, CA
Since its founding over 30 years ago, Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers has represented accident victims in La Jolla, California, as they pursue legal claims against at-fault drivers. Our La Jolla personal injury attorneys have over 80 years of combined legal experience and have successfully settled or won cases worth over $100 million for the firm’s clients.
When you suffer injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, our La Jolla car accident lawyers assist you with the following:
- Discussing your injuries and legal options so you can make informed decisions
- Gathering documents, records, and other evidence
- Filing a claim with the other driver’s auto insurer and negotiating to resolve it amicably
- Pursuing a lawsuit against the careless driver if a settlement is not possible
A car accident can have significant costs due to injuries and property losses. Contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a La Jolla car accident attorney to learn how we can help you pursue compensation from those responsible for causing those losses.
How Common Are Car Accidents in La Jolla?
La Jolla is a neighborhood within the City of San Diego and, as a result, the state groups its statistics with the rest of the city.
San Diego’s Vision Zero program reports traffic accidents for individual council districts. La Jolla sits in Council District 1 with Carmel Valley, Torrey Pines, University City, and other neighborhoods along the coast north of Mission Bay.
Together, these communities had 190 collisions that resulted in serious injury or death.
Specifically, crash reports for Council District 1, including La Jolla, classified its crashes as follows:
- 52 fatal accidents
- 138 serious injury accidents
Serious injuries in California cause physical trauma that produces any of the following:
- Fractured bones
- Dislocated joints
- Severe lacerations
- Unconsciousness at or after being taken from the scene
These injuries incapacitate the victim and prevent them from leaving the scene without assistance. As a result, they will need emergency treatment at the scene or an emergency room.
Road Users in La Jolla Traffic Accidents
La Jolla has an unusual distribution of road crash victims. The people injured and killed in traffic accidents in most cities are typically predominantly drivers and passengers. While pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists are at higher risk of injury or death, they usually do not outnumber the number of motorists injured or killed.
La Jolla flips this expectation. In Council District 1, 75% of fatalities resulted from pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, or bicycle accidents. Thus, only 25% of the area’s fatalities involved vehicles colliding with fixed objects or other vehicles.
Similarly, of the 138 crashes that caused a serious injury, nearly 77% involved collisions with pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, or scooters. Only about 23% of the serious injury crashes involved single or multi-vehicle collisions.
Causes of Crashes in La Jolla
Car accidents in California typically happen for only a few reasons. The following errors lead to many of La Jolla’s car accident injuries and deaths:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving occurs when a driver is preoccupied by another activity.
While electronic use is a contributing factor in many cases, other activities can also distract a driver, including the following:
- Drinking or eating
- Inputting information into a navigation system
- Talking to passengers
- Reaching for objects
These activities pose three risks. First, the driver’s attention is split between driving and the activity. Second, the driver’s hands might not be positioned on the steering wheel. Third, the driver might be looking somewhere other than the road.
Speeding
Speeding is a leading cause of California crashes. Drivers who speed cannot stop as quickly when they encounter pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles. They can also lose control, particularly in adverse conditions like darkness, rain, or traffic jams.
Failing To Yield
Most intersection crashes result from a failure to yield the right-of-way. The right-of-way rules ensure that vehicles using the intersection avoid collisions. When a driver goes out of turn or fails to wait for a gap in traffic, they can cause a crash.
Contact Our La Jolla Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Car crash injuries can disable you, preventing you from working or meeting your personal needs. Contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a La Jolla car accident attorney to discuss your case and the compensation you can seek for your injuries.
