Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles Discuss LAPD’S Growing Enforcement on LA Intersections
Los Angeles is a busy city, notorious for its traffic, lack of parking, and diverse roadways. Now, Los Angeles drivers are also getting a bit more infamy, considering the Los Angeles Police Department’s decision to ramp up officer enforcement at some of the city’s most dangerous intersections.
Learn more about the city’s car accident problems, how other motorized vehicles come into the mix, and why car accident lawyers in Los Angeles from BD&J are who you should call after an accident.
BD&J car crash attorneys are just one call away, so don’t delay in dialing 888-648-8102 now!
Why is Los Angeles Having So Many Vehicle Accidents?
Both the largest city and county in California population-wise is Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, so it’s no surprise seeing a large population translate into higher accident numbers.
However, there are a few risk factors specifically associated with the city that increase the probability of an accident. These risks include:
Traffic
A report run by Consumer Affairs ranked Los Angeles as the number 1 city with the worst traffic, noting that Los Angeles roads stay busy with about 8 hours and 27 minutes’ worth of weekday congestion. The average daily commute is estimated to take about 30 minutes, but this doesn’t account for construction, closed roads, and other typical occurrences in the city.
High traffic numbers mean more impatient and distracted drivers, who tailgate, cut off, and can come to sudden, erratic stops while trying to distract themselves from daily traffic.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is an often-underestimated factor in vehicle crashes. Some of the most common distractions for Los Angeles drivers include:
- Cell phone use, whether it’s texting or scrolling social media
- Eating
- Looking at something else besides the road
- Doing some personal care while on the road
- Talking to another passenger
- Fiddling with the radio
The City’s Infrastructure
Cracked and lifted sidewalks, potholes, and old leaky water pipes that further damage asphalt are just a few of the main issues in the city’s infrastructure. Issues that affect roads can lead to damage to cars, as well as cases of sudden swerving or merging that can result in vehicle collisions.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Some of the most common injuries from car accidents include:
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
How Did LAPD Decide to Strengthen Enforcement on Certain Intersections?
A report published in June 2026 by ABC 7 highlighted the steps taken by LAPD to reinforce stronger police presence at intersections in Los Angeles with higher accident rates than normal.
The main culprits behind a rise in road accidents, according to police officers? Distracted driving and a surge in e-bike and e-scooter use. The intersections officers are said to be targeting the most are:
- Figueroa Street and 7th Street in Downtown Los Angeles
- Highland Avenue and Pat Moore Way near the Hollywood Bowl
- Century Boulevard and Main Street in South Los Angeles
- Sherman Way at the 170 Freeway entrance in the South Fernando Valley
All the named intersections have had various collisions reported this year, and Los Angeles overall has seen an increase of 5% in the year so far compared to the previous year.
Police officers hope to ramp up reinforcement to stop some of the most common driving violations that lead to accidents, especially red-light running.
Suffered an accident at one of these intersections? BD&J can help!
The Role of E-Bikes and E-Scooters in Intersection Accidents
When it comes to e-bikes and e-scooters in accidents, many officials focus on user experience and a lack of road knowledge. E-bikes can often reach speeds of up to 28 mph, and this can be further extended through user modifications. E-scooters typically have a speed limit of 15 mph but can reach up to 25 or 30mph in speed.
E-bikes don’t need a license to be operated, while e-scooters do. These electric vehicles are especially appealing to minors and can often be the perfect transportation method for busy and congested cities like Los Angeles over public transportation or rideshares.
Unfortunately, not many people understand that electric bikes and scooters have their own rules and regulations, and that safety for riders and other pedestrians or drivers is still something to keep in mind.
Illegal sidewalk use, running through red lights and stop signs, and modifications for increased speeds are some of the main reasons why e-bike and e-scooter accidents are on the rise in Los Angeles.
Tips for Safe Driving in Los Angeles Intersections
Driving throughout the city of Los Angeles doesn’t have to be intimidating or impossible. Practicing a few safe driving habits can make the difference when it comes to actively preventing an accident from happening on the road.
Car crash lawyers in Los Angeles recommend the following safe driving tips:
- Look both ways before driving through intersections.
- Keep an eye on other drivers for erratic or sudden movements.
- Check your blind spots often for motorcyclists or e-bike/e-scooter riders.
- Do not tailgate drivers.
- Use a yellow light as a sign to slow down, not speed up.
- Do not stay in another vehicle’s blind spot for too long.
- Keep an eye on crosswalks for any pedestrians, even if they don’t have a signal to go.
How To Keep Your Passengers Safe on the Road
Most drivers take it as a serious responsibility to get their passengers from point A to point B safely. Keep your passengers (and yourself) as safe as you can with the following steps:
- Ensure your passengers are wearing their seatbelts. – Seatbelts can make the biggest difference between a moderate or severe injury in a car accident, so make sure your passengers are secured and wearing their seat belts.
- Practice safe driving habits. – This means not looking at your phone while driving, yielding when necessary, practicing safe lane changes, and going at an appropriate speed.
- Don’t immediately speed up once your light is green. – Speeding up the second a light turns green can be a problem if another driver chooses to run a red light, which is why It’s always best to look both ways before advancing up an intersection.
- Sit down with a car crash attorney in Los Angeles after an accident. – Safe driving is essential, but accidents still happen, so sitting down with a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you learn more about your legal options after an accident.
Do I Always Have to Report a Car Accident to the Police in Los Angeles?
According to California law, a car accident must be reported within 24 hours of occurring to the California Highway Patrol or city police department if it resulted in injuries or death. Reporting a car accident can also allow a police report to be created, which can come in handy when it comes to filing a personal injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to Present a Car Accident Claim in Los Angeles?
You have 2 years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. If your accident was caused by an oversight of the city, for example, neglected potholes, then you would have 6 months to file a claim against the city.
Can I Still Present My Case if I Didn’t Discover My Injuries Weeks After the Accident?
Yes, this is due to the Discovery Rule, which states that the 2 years to file a claim for an accident don’t start to run until a person has discovered their injuries from the accident, or should have reasonably discovered them by then.
Would I Still Qualify for Compensation if I Ran a Red Light Before My Accident?
If you ran a red light, but another driver still contributed to your accident by being distracted on their phone or tailgating, you may still be able to recover compensation.
California recognizes comparative negligence, which means that a party can still recover compensation for an accident they had some fault in. As long as another party also had fault, you can still recover compensation for your ensuing damages.
What if the Other Driver Fled the Scene?
It can be incredibly overwhelming and anxiety-inducing when another driver who caused your accident flees the scene, leaving you confused and even angry at the lack of accountability. Fortunately, you can still fight for compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage after reporting the accident and initiating a search for the other driver.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage typically protects drivers who are involved in accidents with uninsured drivers but can also be used by drivers involved in accidents with hit-and-run drivers. This type of insurance can cover property repairs and sometimes medical costs, depending on the type of policy you have.
Will I Have to go to Court for My Car Accident?
Typically, no. About 95% of personal injury claims settle outside of court.
If you happen to need to go to court for your case, however, talking with a car crash attorney in Los Angeles is essential.
Do I Have a Case if the Other Driver in My Accident Was Drunk?
Absolutely, an impaired driver can often cause serious DUI accidents while on the road that impact other drivers and passengers. It is considered unlawful to operate a vehicle while intoxicated.
What Are Signs of an Impaired Driver on the Road?
Some of the most notable signs of an impaired driver on the road include a driver who is swerving, failing to stay in their lane, and driving at night without headlights on and using turn signals erratically.
Will My Claim Be Ok if I Skipped Going to the Hospital After a Car Crash?
It is crucial that you seek medical treatment after being involved in a car crash, especially if you’re thinking about pursuing a legal claim. Skipping medical treatment minimizes your injuries and can negatively impact a claim, can allow the other party to argue against the validity of your injuries, and can also worsen your health if injuries are left untreated for long.
Why Should I Work with the Premier Car Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles from BD&J?
BD&J attorneys have recovered more than $3 billion* in compensation for clients involved in car accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other terrifying incidents that resulted in serious or catastrophic injuries. We’re a dedicated team of legal experts who don’t turn our backs on a case and represent all of California when it comes to legal needs and seeking rightful compensation.
Do BD&J Attorneys Speak Spanish?
Absolutely, our attorneys speak Spanish, French, Farsi, Arabic, Armenian, Russian, and Hebrew.
Let Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles Handle Your Claim
Car accidents in Los Angeles can happen in seconds, affecting drivers, passengers, and other pedestrians on the road. Recent events have led to an increase in law enforcement activity on some of the city’s most dangerous intersections, which may stop driving violations from turning into life-altering accidents.
If you were involved in a car accident in Los Angeles, call the attorneys at BD&J. Our team has been fighting for the rights of Los Angeles residents since our establishment in 2007, and we work on a contingency fee basis to ease the financial burden on clients. So, no fees until we win your case*.
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