In California, traffic law violations are a leading cause of car accidents that result in serious injuries. When drivers fail to follow established traffic laws, they create dangerous situations where accident reports often show the at-fault driver violated multiple rules. At Vaziri Law, we understand the devastating consequences these accidents have on the injured party. If another driver's traffic violations caused your car accident, you need to know your rights.
Traffic Law Violations and Car Accidents
When drivers ignore traffic signals and laws, they increase the risk of traffic collisions. Understanding how these violations connect to car accident claims can help you protect your rights after a crash caused by another driver.
The Importance of Traffic Laws in California
The California Vehicle Code sets clear rules to ensure road safety. These laws are designed to prevent accidents and protect everyone on the road.
Traffic laws aren't random—they exist to reduce risks and keep drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists safe. When drivers ignore these laws, they show negligence, which strengthens your car accident claim if you're the injured party.
Why Traffic Violations Lead to Car Accidents
When the other driver violates traffic laws, it helps prove negligence in your car accident lawsuit. This is key to showing they caused the accident and holding them accountable.
Common traffic violations like speeding or running stop signs often lead to serious injuries, such as whiplash or head trauma. High-speed crashes usually result in more severe consequences than minor infractions. If the other driver broke traffic laws, gathering evidence about their violations can help establish fault and support your claim.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help Victims
At Vaziri Law, we help car accident victims recover compensation when the other driver caused injuries by breaking traffic laws. Whether the other driver was speeding, running red lights, or committing other violations, we handle cases involving all types of traffic tickets and severe violations.
If you're the injured party in a crash caused by traffic violations, you deserve compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Proving negligence is critical, especially in cases involving comparative negligence or fault determination.
Call us for a free consultation to discuss your car accident claim. We'll help you build a strong case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common Traffic Law Violations That Cause Car Accidents
Certain violations create higher risk scenarios on the road. Understanding these common violations can help you recognize dangerous situations and avoid collisions with other vehicles.
Speeding – California Vehicle Code 22350
Speeding beyond posted limits ranks among the most dangerous traffic citations. Under Vehicle Code 22350, drivers must never operate a motor vehicle at speeds that endanger others. Even driving at the posted limit can be illegal if conditions make that speed unsafe.
Speeding is hazardous because it reduces reaction time to oncoming traffic or hazards. At high speeds, a driver has less time to respond to potential dangers. The stopping distance increases dramatically with speed. A vehicle traveling at 60 mph requires twice the distance to stop compared to a vehicle traveling at 40 mph.
Car accidents involving speeding drivers often cause severe injuries due to increased impact force. When speed limits are ignored, the resulting accident often means insurance companies must deal with severe consequences and property damage claims.
A speeding ticket provides valuable insights into your car accident claim, helping you prove that the other driver caused the accident through their traffic violation.
Following Too Closely – California Vehicle Code 21703
Tailgating violates California Vehicle Code 21703, which requires drivers to maintain a "reasonable and prudent" distance from other vehicles. This common violation leads to rear-end collisions when drivers fail to maintain safe following distances.
The "three-second rule" helps drivers avoid this traffic violation. In good conditions, maintain at least three seconds between vehicles; in poor weather, increase this distance to drive safely and follow traffic laws.
When a driver violates this law and causes an accident, they're typically considered at fault. This presumption helps your car accident claim, though insurance providers may still attempt to reduce your compensation.
Improper Left Turns or U-Turns – California Vehicle Code 21801
Vehicle Code 21801 requires drivers to make left turns to yield to oncoming traffic. Similarly, U-turns are only permitted when they can be made safely and are not prohibited by signs in a parking lot or other areas.
Improper turns frequently lead to side-impact collisions. These crashes are particularly severe because they often involve direct impact to the sides of vehicles, where there's less protection for the parties involved.
Common mistakes include misjudging oncoming traffic speeds, turning with an obstructed view, or making illegal U-turns. Witness statements and traffic camera footage can provide valuable insights into whether the driver violated turning laws.
Running Stop Lights – California Vehicle Code 21453
Traffic signals manage the safe flow of vehicles through intersections. Vehicle Code 21453 requires drivers to stop completely at red lights until the light turns green.
Running red lights often results in "T-bone" collisions, which can be deadly, as the side of a vehicle offers less protection. These accidents frequently occur at high speeds as the speeding driver rushes through, causing severe violations with devastating consequences.
In California, you must completely stop at red lights before making a right turn. "California stops" (rolling through without completely stopping) at stop signs are illegal and dangerous.
According to traffic court data, red-light violations lead to numerous fatalities yearly. These traffic violations create some of the most dangerous accident scenarios on our roads.
Other Dangerous Traffic Violations
Reckless driving (Vehicle Code 23103) involves operating a vehicle with willful disregard for safety. This broad violation includes excessive speeding and weaving through traffic. The legal consequences are severe, and insurance premiums typically increase significantly.
Distracted driving has become increasingly common. When drivers fail to focus on the road for just five seconds while traveling at 55 mph, they cover the length of a football field essentially blindfolded. Texting, adjusting the radio, or talking to passengers can all lead to serious accidents where the other motorist caused the collision through negligence.
The Aftermath of Traffic Law Violation Accidents
Car accidents caused by traffic violations affect victims long after the crash happens. The impact goes beyond the immediate moment, often leading to lasting physical, emotional, and financial struggles.
When the other driver violates traffic laws—like speeding, running stop signs, or ignoring speed limits—they put everyone at an increased risk. If you're the injured party, you may face mounting medical bills, lost income, and higher insurance premiums.
Types of Injuries Caused by Traffic Violations
Traffic violations frequently lead to severe physical trauma. Whiplash is common in rear-end collisions, causing neck pain and limited mobility. More serious crashes result in broken bones requiring surgery.
Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe trauma. These injuries affect memory and concentration, sometimes requiring lifelong care. The injured party often experiences increased medical expenses for years after the accident occurred.
Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating consequences of traffic collisions. These injuries fundamentally change victims' lives, requiring home modifications and ongoing care when another driver causes permanent disability.
Financial and Emotional Impact on Victims
The financial burden of a serious car accident overwhelms many victims. Medical expenses accumulate quickly, from emergency treatment to rehabilitation. Severe injuries require ongoing care for months or years.
Lost income compounds these financial pressures. Many injured parties cannot return to work for extended periods after the accident occurs, and some face permanent disabilities preventing them from returning to their previous occupation.
When the accident is caused by traffic violations like speeding or running stop signs, the at-fault driver's actions can lead to higher premiums for everyone involved. Insurance companies may also raise your rates, even if you weren't at fault.
Beyond these costs, accident victims experience significant pain and suffering. Everyday activities, once taken for granted, become difficult or impossible, affecting relationships and well-being.
Pursuing Compensation for Victims
If traffic violations have injured you, gather evidence immediately. Collect witness statements, take photos of where the accident occurred, and seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
Filing a police report is essential. Law enforcement officers document the scene and may issue traffic citations for violations, which provide valuable insights for your claim. Request a copy of the accident report to pursue compensation.
We at Vaziri Law help victims walk through insurance claims and prove negligence using evidence like traffic tickets and witness statements. Our expertise allows you to focus on recovery while we handle the legal battle to help the injured party receive fair compensation.
Contact a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you've been injured in a car accident where traffic violations led to your injuries, we at Vaziri Law are here to help. Our personal injury attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents take on victims.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Let us fight for you while you focus on your recovery after the other driver caused your injuries.