According to data from the National Safety Council (NSC), there were at least 620 car accident injuries per hour and five deaths per hour nationwide in 2021. As this data shows, a car accident is a profoundly impactful event that can alter your life and the life of those around you.
Car accident victims in Simi Valley are no different. In fact, taking a look at the relevant statistics on car accidents in Simi Valley can show the scope of the issue and what you need to do if you’re involved in one.
If you’ve been in a car accident, our team of Simi Valley personal injury lawyers at Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys can help. We have the experience and dedication to assist and guide you through the aftermath of a car accident. Contact us for a free consultation to get started.
Number of Drivers in Ventura County
The starting point for understanding the issue of car accidents in Simi Valley is looking at the number of drivers you’ll encounter on the road. With its location in southeastern Ventura County, Simi Valley has lots of people going to work, taking kids to school and practices, and generally getting from one place to another. This translates into an increased risk of being involved in a car accident.
According to data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), there were 630,865 licensed drivers in Ventura County in 2022. Over the last five years, the number of licensed drivers in Ventura County has varied, but has stayed between 620,000 and 630,000.
Source: California DMV
Obviously, the more drivers there are on the road, the more difficult it can be to avoid accidents. Throughout Simi Valley, there are any number of different causes of car accidents, including:
- Driving in crowded locations or roadways
- Driving while fatigued
- Being distracted while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Inexperienced drivers
- Older drivers who may not be able to see or hear as well
- Poor weather or road conditions
- Reckless or otherwise negligent driving
While every car accident is different, many are caused by these above factors. However, there’s data that shows just how many car accidents happen in Simi Valley, and further goes to show how impactful they can be in terms of injury.
Number of Car Accidents in Simi Valley
It’s unfortunate that so many car accidents happen throughout Simi Valley every year. However, given the overall conditions, as well as the fact that ultimately you can’t control what other drivers do, it’s not exactly surprising.
According to data from the California Highway Patrol’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), there has been an average of 341.6 car accidents in Simi Valley per year over the last five years. More to the point, these accidents have involved either some level of injury or, in the worst case, were fatal. TIMS found that over the same period, 4.4 fatal accidents occurred per year.
Source: TIMS
With such circumstances, it underscores the potential severity of any car accident in terms of the injuries that can result. What’s worse, every car accident-no matter how seemingly minor–can result in certain injuries, like:
- Fractures or broken bones
- Whiplash
- Ligament tears
- Head, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Deep cuts or gashes
- Back strains
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Burn injuries
- Loss of limbs
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Simi Valley
While a car accident can occur at any time in Simi Valley, there are certain actions that a driver can take that are more likely to cause an accident. Two of the leading causes are drunk driving and distractions.
Alcohol-Related Car Accidents
Because driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is such a problem, extensive resources go toward policing it in Simi Valley and throughout California. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always stop it from happening.
According to TIMS, there were 41 alcohol-related accidents citywide in 2022 that resulted in injuries or fatalities. Fortunately, that was a significant decrease from the year before, when there were 55.
Source: TIMS
Distracted Driving
Another unfortunately frequent cause of car accidents in Simi Valley is distracted driving. There are any number of distractions that can take a driver’s attention off the road. While the most common is texting or scrolling while driving, there are several other ways that drivers can be distracted:
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting the radio or music
- Using in-car navigation systems
- Conversations with passengers
- Grooming or applying makeup
- Reaching for objects inside the vehicle
- Gazing at accidents or events outside the vehicle).
- Smoking or vaping
Data from TIMS found that there was an average of 34.2 distracted driving accidents per year in Simi Valley over the past five years.
Source: TIMS
When you’ve been involved in a car accident in Simi Valley where someone else was negligent, California law allows you to pursue a claim for damages. It’s here that our team of experienced Simi Valley personal injury lawyers can help.
Damages in a Simi Valley Car Accident Claim
Filing a claim against the person liable for causing your accident and its resulting damages is typically done first by filing an insurance claim, then proceeding to a personal injury lawsuit. You are under no obligation to accept the initial settlement offer from the insurance company. Often, they may attempt to provide a lowball offer, hoping you’ll agree.
- Medical expenses related to the accident.
- Lost wages.
- Loss of future income, particularly if you suffer permanent injuries.
- Costs associated with repairing your vehicle or other damaged property.
- Pain and suffering.
- Psychological trauma stemming from the accident.
- Diminished quality of life.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
While these damages are general and depend on the specific factors of your accident. California law follows the principle of “comparative negligence,” which means your potential recovery is reduced based on your percentage of fault in relation to the accident.
Free Consultations For Simi Valley Car Accident Victims
At Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys, our top priority is your health and well-being. To this end, we explore every avenue to ensure you receive full compensation from the party at fault. Car accidents sadly happen frequently in Simi Valley.
When they do, having our experienced Simi Valley personal injury lawyers by your side is crucial to secure this vital support. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Simi Valley, contact us today for a free consultation.