Where Does San Diego Rank in Safety for Car and Motorcycle Drivers?

San Diego is one of the most beloved cities in California thanks to its year-round pleasant weather and scenery, but it is also a great place to drive. Many studies indicate that San Diego may be one of the safest cities in California for drivers based on the relatively high number of vehicle miles driven compared to the number of fatal auto accidents in the San Diego area.

Which Cities are More Dangerous than San Diego?

A few of the most dangerous cities in California when it comes to car and motorcycle accidents include San Francisco, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, and Los Angeles. Per each 100 million vehicle miles traveled, these cities boast some of the highest rates of fatal accidents, injuries from car accidents, and speeding accidents in the state.

Which Cities are Less Dangerous than San Diego?

When it comes to measuring the safest cities for driving in California, San Diego consistently receives top marks overall for driver safety. Most studies conducted on traffic safety throughout California focus on the largest metropolitan areas. Most suburban and rural areas throughout California have the lowest accident rates simply due to fewer vehicles on the road. However, many metropolitan areas in California have relatively low accident rates. A few of the cities in California with traffic safety scores equivalent to or better than San Diego include Visalia, Stockton, and San Jose.

What Does This Say About San Diego Drivers?

Based on available data, it seems as though San Diego drivers are some of the safest in Southern California. While it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate positive statistics about the San Diego area, this does not mean drivers should automatically assume that the area is perfectly safe for driving. Mistakes can and do happen all the time, and some drivers will make negligent errors or engage in dangerous driving unexpectedly.

What Are Some Tips to Drive Safely in San Diego?

San Diego has famously clear and warm weather, so drivers in the San Diego area rarely contend with poor driving conditions due to bad weather and poor visibility. However, there are several tips all drivers can keep in mind to reduce their risk of experiencing accidents and increase their safety on the road:

• Do not rush. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go to reduce the need to speed or make risky maneuvers on the road.
• Eliminate distractions. Distracted driving can lead to a very serious accident very easily. Do not use a cell phone without a hands-free attachment that allows you to maintain control of your vehicle and pay close attention to the road and traffic conditions around you at all times.
• If you notice a dangerous or potentially intoxicated driver nearby, do your best to maintain a safe distance and drive defensively.
• Maintain your vehicle. This means ensuring you meet all necessary inspection requirements, address known safety and performance issues promptly, and refrain from driving a potentially dangerous vehicle.
• Be wary of motorcycles. San Diego motorcycle accidents happen less frequently than car accidents but tend to result in much more damage. Motorcyclists have very little protection from crash forces, so any accident involving a motorcycle will likely result in serious damage.

Following these tips can potentially help you prevent a very serious accident. However, you only have control over your own vehicle and your own actions. You cannot account for every other driver on the road, nor can you expect to always be able to accurately anticipate when another driver will do something unexpected or dangerous.

What to Do After an Accident

San Diego motorcycle accidents and other vehicle accidents can be devastating for victims and their families. When an accident occurs due to the negligence of another driver, the first steps you take after the incident have a significant impact on the quality of your overall recovery:

• Do not leave the scene of the accident until the police allow you to do so. California state law requires all drivers to report any accident that causes property damage or injury, so do not risk a hit and run conviction if you are involved in an accident.
• Put your health and safety first. Do not move if you have been seriously injured, and only get out of your car after it has stopped and you have shut off the engine. If you feel as though you have only sustained minor injuries, be very cautious. You are probably more hurt than you realize and adrenaline. The shock of the crash is likely dulling your pain temporarily.
• Seek medical care as soon as possible after the accident. Any delay in seeking treatment could not only cause severe medical complications or allow a serious injury to go unaddressed for too long but also harm your chances of filing an insurance claim or taking legal action in the future. If the court sees you did not seek immediate care, they may not believe your injuries are as serious as you claim.

Once the initial aftermath of the accident is addressed, you should contact a reliable attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options for legal recourse.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

Even if you think the fault for your accident is perfectly clear, your case may not be as simple and straightforward as you initially assume. The first step in economic recovery after an accident is usually an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. However, this may not yield enough to fully cover your losses. Dealing with an insurance claim adjuster is rarely easy, even with an airtight claim.

Instead of risking your recovery on a mistake with your insurance claim or a procedural error with a court filing, hire an experienced attorney to assist you with your legal affairs as you focus on your recovery. At the Law Offices of Susan Handel, we know how devastating a car accident of any kind can be and want to do everything we can to assist in your recovery. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options after a vehicle accident in San Diego.