The Leading Causes of Traffic Accidents in Los Angeles — And How Legal Liability Is Determined Under California Law

Los Angeles is one of the busiest metropolitan driving environments in the United States. With sprawling freeways, dense surface streets, and a mix of cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, traffic accidents are unfortunately common. Some crashes are minor; others result in life-altering injuries or even fatalities. Understanding why accidents occur and how liability is assigned under California law is essential — whether you’re a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist, and especially if you’re facing a personal injury claim.

This comprehensive guide explores the leading causes of traffic accidents in Los Angeles, the duties and legal standards that drivers must meet, and the key California Vehicle Code sections that help determine fault and liability.

1. Distracted Driving

What It Is

Distracted driving occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted from driving tasks. This can be:

• Using a cellphone (texting, calling, browsing)
• Adjusting GPS or infotainment systems
• Eating or drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Reaching for objects inside the car

Even a glance away from the road can be enough to cause a serious crash, especially in stop-and-go Los Angeles traffic. Distracted driving is one of the most frequently cited crash causes statewide. (LA Attorneys)

Relevant Law: CVC § 23123.5 — Handheld Device Ban

California Vehicle Code 23123.5 makes it illegal to operate a handheld wireless telephone while driving. Using a phone for texting, scrolling, dialing, or other interactive functions is prohibited unless the device is hands-free and mounted. (Crockett Law Group)

👉 Why It Matters for Liability:
When a driver violates CVC 23123.5 and causes a crash, that violation helps establish negligence per se in a civil case — meaning the driver breached a legal duty simply by breaking the law. Evidence such as phone records, surveillance footage, and eyewitness accounts may be used to prove distracted driving.

Duty of Care and Comparative Fault

California follows a comparative negligence system. Even if the other driver was partially at fault, you may still recover damages proportionate to their share of fault. If you were also distracted, your compensation may be reduced. (OC Personal Injury)

2. Speeding and Unsafe Speeds

What It Is

Speeding isn’t just exceeding the posted limit. Under California’s traffic laws, drivers must travel at a speed that is reasonable and safe for existing conditions—whether posted limits exist or not. This means accounting for traffic, weather, and road conditions. (Law Offices of James R. Dickinson)

Relevant Law: CVC § 22350 — Basic Speed Law

California Vehicle Code 22350 prohibits driving faster than is “reasonable or prudent” given the conditions of traffic, weather, or the roadway.

👉 Why It Matters for Liability:
Violating the basic speed law can be evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim. If a speeding driver causes a crash, that driver’s excess speed can be used to establish fault. Expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists often calculate vehicle speeds from skid marks, data recorders, and other evidence.

Speeding and Severity of Injury

Higher speeds not only increase the likelihood of crashes but also magnify their severity. In pedestrian, motorcycle, and bicycle collisions, even moderate speeding can lead to catastrophic injuries. Courts and insurance companies often weigh speeding heavily in liability disputes.

3. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

What It Is

Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is a persistent cause of serious crashes. Los Angeles nightlife, long commutes, and social events contribute to the risk of DUI crashes, many of which involve high speeds, dangerous maneuvers, and catastrophic outcomes. (LA Attorneys)

Relevant Law: CVC §§ 23152 and 23153 — DUI and DUI Causing Injury

• CVC § 23152(a)–(b) makes it unlawful to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• CVC § 23153(a) makes it a crime to drive under the influence and cause bodily injury to another person.

👉 Why It Matters for Liability:
A DUI charge provides strong evidence of negligence in a subsequent personal injury claim. When police test for BAC at the scene, the resulting report and criminal charges can be introduced in civil cases to show breach of duty. Even absent criminal conviction, admissions of impairment or erratic driving behavior may be used to establish liability.

DUI Enhancements and Reckless Driving

California Vehicle Code 23582 provides sentencing enhancements for DUI offenses involving excessive speed and reckless driving.

4. Reckless Driving and Aggressive Behavior

What It Is

Reckless or aggressive driving includes behaviors such as:

• Tailgating
• Unsafe lane changes
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Weaving between lanes
• Street racing

These behaviors often cause high-risk collisions and demonstrate a disregard for safety.

Relevant Law: CVC § 23103 — Reckless Driving

California Vehicle Code 23103 prohibits reckless driving, defined as operating a vehicle with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”

👉 Why It Matters for Liability:
Reckless driving can be used to strengthen a personal injury case by showing that the at-fault driver breached their duty of care. This is often backed by police citations, eyewitness reports, traffic camera footage, and expert testimony.

5. Failure to Obey Traffic Signals and Signs

What It Is

Even in gridlocked Los Angeles traffic, obeying traffic signals is essential. Crashes often occur when drivers:

• Run red lights (CVC § 21453)
• Fail to stop at stop signs (CVC § 22450)
• Fail to yield the right-of-way (CVC § 21800)

Violations of these rules can lead to T-bone and intersection collisions.

👉 Why It Matters for Liability:
Breaking a traffic control device law is strong evidence that a driver breached their duty of care. In civil liability cases, these violations often result in negligence per se—meaning the law itself defines the conduct as unreasonable and harmful.

6. Tailgating and Rear-End Collisions

What It Is

Following another vehicle too closely reduces reaction time when the lead vehicle stops suddenly. Rear-end crashes are among the most common types of collisions in Los Angeles traffic, especially during peak commute hours.

Legal Considerations

While there is no specific Vehicle Code section titled “tailgating,” liability often arises from violations of CVC 22350 (Basic Speed Law) and failure to maintain a safe distance. Evidence of tailgating can be used to show a breach of duty and proximate cause.

7. Road Conditions, Weather, and Construction Zones

Not all liability lies directly with drivers. Poorly maintained roads, potholes, sudden construction zones, and unclear signage can contribute to accidents. In some cases, government agencies can share liability if they negligently failed to maintain safe road conditions or warn of hazards.

How California Determines Accident Fault and Legal Liability

At-Fault State

California is an at-fault state, meaning the driver whose negligence caused an accident is responsible for damages. This applies not just to property damage but also to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. (Reddit)

Comparative Negligence

California uses a pure comparative negligence system. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages, reduced according to your percentage of fault. (OC Personal Injury)

Proving Fault in a Crash

Proving fault often depends on evidence, including:

• Police reports and traffic citations
• Witness statements
• Traffic camera or dashcam footage
• Cell phone records
• Expert analysis (e.g., accident reconstruction)

Citations for Vehicle Code violations can provide a legal basis for negligence per se in many cases.

Wrapping Up

Traffic accidents in Los Angeles occur for many reasons—from distracted driving and DUI to aggressive behavior and failure to obey traffic controls. Each of these causes can form the basis of legal liability when a crash results in injuries or property damage.

Understanding California’s Vehicle Code provisions and how they intersect with legal concepts like negligence, duty of care, negligence per se, and comparative fault can help accident victims better navigate personal injury claims and pursue fair compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a crash, consulting a qualified attorney who understands how to apply these laws to your unique situation is essential. They can help collect evidence, prove liability, and pursue the compensation you deserve. At Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC, we have handled thousands of car accident claims over the past 30 years and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Call today for a free consultation at 866-966-5240. We never charge any fees unless and until we win your case.