Pasadena Car Accident Lawyer

Getting in a car accident in Pasadena can be scary and stressful. You may be hurt, your car may be damaged, and you might not know what to do next. That’s where the car accident lawyers at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can help. We understand how hard it can be after a crash, and we’re here to assist you. Our goal is to help you get money for your losses, like medical bills, lost wages from missing work, and pain and suffering. Reach out to us today for a free case review with one of our Pasadena car accident attorneys.

Pasadena Car Accident Statistics

Total Injuries & Fatalities

• 2019: 664
• 2020: 460
• 2021: 544
• 2022: 597
• 2023: 626

Statistics on Fatal and Injury Causing Collisions in Pasadena

Statistics on fatal and injury-causing collisions in Pasadena reveal a fluctuating trend over the past five years. In 2019, there were 664 reported incidents, marking the peak over the period. However, by 2023, this number decreased slightly to 626. Despite fluctuations, the data indicates a 6% reduction in accidents from 2019 to 2023. This suggests a complex pattern in accident rates over the years.

Primary Collision Factor

• Right-of-Way: 171
• Unsafe Speed: 121
• Traffic Signals and Signs: 133
• Improper Turning: 79
• DUI: 31
• All Other: 91

Statistics on Common Causes of Collisions in Pasadena

In 2023, a significant factor contributing to collisions in Pasadena was drivers failing to yield the right of way. This failure to adhere to traffic regulations may have resulted from various factors, such as distracted driving, impatience, or a lack of understanding of road rules. The consequences of such actions are far-reaching, often leading to rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes, or even more severe accidents at intersections. The failure to yield not only jeopardizes the safety of those directly involved but also puts other road users and pedestrians at risk. Understanding the root causes behind this behavior is crucial for implementing effective countermeasures and promoting a safer driving environment for everyone.

Which Roads and Intersections in Pasadena Are the Most Dangerous?

Accidents can occur anywhere in Pasadena, but some roads and intersections see more crashes than others:

Colorado Boulevard

Colorado Boulevard is one of the busiest streets in Pasadena. It has many shops, eateries, and local businesses along it. Some popular spots include Vroman’s Bookstore, The Pasadena Playhouse, and various cafes and boutiques. Because there’s so much to see and do, Colorado Boulevard gets a lot of traffic throughout the day from both locals and visitors. With all the cars, intersections, and stoplights, this street can get quite congested, especially during rush hour. This increases the chances of accidents happening.

Arroyo Parkway

Arroyo Parkway, also known as State Route 110, is a major road that connects Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles. Many commuters and commercial vehicles use this parkway every day. Based on data from Caltrans in 2017, between 122,000 to 146,000 vehicles travel on different sections of the Arroyo Parkway daily. The stretch near downtown Pasadena and the interchange with I-210 sees the heaviest traffic. With so many vehicles moving at high speeds, accidents are more likely to occur, particularly near busy interchanges. If you’re on the Arroyo Parkway, stay alert, don’t speed, and be ready for sudden slowdowns or stops, especially during peak commute times.

Fair Oaks Avenue

Fair Oaks Avenue runs through the heart of Pasadena and is known for its mix of residential areas, schools, parks, and businesses. Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, Huntington Hospital, and various churches and parks are located along this street. The combination of local traffic, pedestrians, school zones, and intersections make Fair Oaks Avenue a common spot for accidents. Drivers need to be extra cautious, adhere to posted speed limits, and stay alert for pedestrians and children, especially near schools and parks.

Lake Avenue

Lake Avenue is another major thoroughfare in Pasadena that is lined with many businesses. Shops, banks, offices, and restaurants such as Macy’s, Wells Fargo, and California Pizza Kitchen attract both local and visitor traffic. The street’s popularity leads to congestion and a higher risk of collisions, particularly near intersections and during busy shopping times. The intersection of Lake Avenue and Colorado Boulevard is notably prone to accidents given the high traffic volume from two busy streets meeting.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Pasadena?

If you get in a car accident in Pasadena, what you do next matters a lot for your case later on. Here are some key steps to take:

Document the Accident

As soon as you can, write down everything you remember about the accident. Note the exact time and place it occurred, what the weather was like, and if there were any street signs or traffic lights nearby. If you can do it safely, take photos or videos of the scene, the damage to the cars, any skid marks on the road, and the overall area. Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance info of the other drivers involved and any witnesses who saw what happened. Having all these details written down will be very helpful for insurance claims and legal cases later on.

Keep Records

Keep track of every piece of paper related to your accident and injuries. Make sure to get a copy of the police report, your medical records and bills, receipts for any expenses from the accident (like prescriptions, crutches, or Uber rides to the doctor), and proof of any wages you lost from missing work. Organize all of these documents as evidence of how the crash has impacted you physically and financially.

Follow Medical Advice

Following your doctor’s orders after an accident isn’t just important for getting better, it also matters for your legal case. Go to all your appointments, take your prescribed medicine, do any recommended therapy or rehabilitation, and follow their advice. This shows that you’re taking your injuries seriously and doing what you’re supposed to do to heal. On the other hand, skipping appointments or ignoring medical advice can hurt your case and make it seem like your injuries aren’t that bad.

Notify Your Insurance

You need to let your insurance company know you were in an accident, but be careful what you say. Stick to just the basic facts of what happened; don’t admit fault or give lots of details about your injuries. Remember, insurance adjusters may try to use what you say against you to pay you less. It’s often best to talk to a lawyer first before giving a full statement to the insurance people. A lawyer can advise you on what information to share and what to keep to yourself.

Preserve Evidence

Don’t get your car fixed right away after an accident. Wait until the insurance adjuster has looked at the damage first. Keep any clothes or personal items that were damaged in the crash, and take photos of all your injuries. All of these things can be very strong evidence to show how bad the accident was and how it matches up with your injuries.

Call a Lawyer

The next step is to talk to an experienced Pasadena car accident lawyer. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we can guide you through the complicated legal process and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. We will protect your rights, work to get you a fair settlement, and make sure you get all the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. We can also tell you if you have a strong case, what your chances are of winning, and if you should settle or go to trial. If there are any disagreements about who was at fault or if the insurance company is giving you a hard time, you’ll definitely want a lawyer on your side.

What are Common Car Accident Injuries?

Car accidents in Pasadena can cause all kinds of injuries, from mild to severe and life-altering:

Whiplash & Neck Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from rear-end collisions. It happens when the force of the impact makes your head and neck snap forward and backward suddenly, straining the muscles and ligaments. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and sometimes blurry vision or tiredness. Many people recover from whiplash within a few weeks, but for some, the pain can last a long time. Always get checked out by a doctor after an accident, even if you feel okay at first. Whiplash can sneak up on you and get worse if left untreated. Treatment usually involves rest, pain medicine, physical therapy, and maybe wearing a neck brace for support.

Concussions & Brain Injuries

You don’t need to hit your head directly to get a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a car accident. Just the jolt of impact can make your brain shake around inside your skull. Symptoms can be as mild as a headache or as severe as seizures and long-term problems with memory and thinking. The tricky thing about concussions and TBIs is that they don’t always show up right away. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor ASAP after any car accident, just in case. Treatment depends on how serious the injury is but can include rest, medicine, various therapies, or even surgery.

Broken Bones

The impact from a car crash can easily break bones, especially in your arms, legs, and ribs. Broken bones can range from small cracks to major breaks that require surgery to fix. Symptoms are usually immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and not being able to move that body part. Treatment depends on where the break is and how bad it is. You may need a cast, splint, or surgery to realign the bone and hold it in place to heal. While some broken bones mend within a few weeks, others can take several months and require physical therapy to regain full function.

Spinal Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most devastating outcomes of car accidents. They occur when the spine is damaged, often resulting in partial or total loss of movement and sensation below the injured area. Car crashes can fracture or shift the vertebrae in the spine, bruising or tearing the delicate spinal cord tissue. Symptoms range from pain and weakness to complete paralysis. There is no cure for spinal cord injuries, and treatment focuses on stabilizing the spine, reducing inflammation, and intense rehabilitation. Many spinal injury survivors are left with permanent disabilities that significantly impact their lives.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

It’s understandable to wonder about the cost of hiring a car accident attorney in Pasadena, especially if you’re already facing expensive medical bills, car repairs, and lost income from the crash. The good news is, at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we work on a contingency basis. That means you don’t pay us anything upfront and we only collect a fee if we win money for you. If we don’t succeed in getting you a settlement or court award, you don’t owe us a dime. This allows you to get the legal representation you need without adding to your financial burdens.

Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Some of the Blame for a Car Accident in Pasadena?

California follows a comparative negligence law. This means you can still recover damages even if you’re found to be partially responsible for the accident, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. So, if you’re deemed 20% to blame, you can only recover 80% of your damages. For example, say you were hit by a speeding driver while you were making an illegal U-turn. The court finds you 30% at fault, and your total damages are $100,000. Under comparative negligence, you’d be able to collect $70,000 ($100,000 reduced by 30%). An experienced local car accident attorney can help make sure you’re not assigned more blame than you deserve.

Further Reading

• How to Prove Not at Fault in Car Accident

What Causes Car Accidents in Pasadena, CA?

Most car accidents are the result of someone’s negligence – in other words, a driver not being careful enough and causing harm to others. Some common examples of negligence that lead to crashes include:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a huge problem in California and a top cause of accidents. It means doing anything that takes your attention away from the road. This could be texting, talking on the phone, messing with the GPS, eating and drinking, or even chatting with passengers. California has strict laws against using phones while driving because it’s so dangerous. If someone causes a crash because they were distracted, they will likely be considered negligent and held responsible for any damage or injuries they caused.

Speeding

Speeding is another major factor in California car accidents and a clear form of negligence. The law says you must always drive at a safe speed for the conditions, even if that means going below the posted limit. Driving too fast makes it much harder to stop suddenly or handle unexpected road situations safely. Speeding puts everyone at risk. When a speeding driver causes a crash, they will likely be found at fault and liable for the harm done.

Failure to Yield

When a driver fails to yield the right of way to others, bad accidents can happen. In California, you must yield to any car that has already entered an intersection or is close enough to be an immediate hazard. This applies when making left turns against oncoming traffic and when pedestrians are in a crosswalk. Crashes often occur when impatient drivers don’t follow these rules, especially at busy intersections. The driver who didn’t yield is typically found negligent in these cases and responsible for resulting injuries and damage.

Pasadena Accident FAQs

Contact Our Pasadena Car Accident Attorneys Today for Legal Help

After a car accident in Pasadena, don’t wait to contact the legal team at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys. We have a strong track record of getting crash victims the compensation they deserve, often in the millions. We offer free consultations, and you only pay us if we win. Call our office today or reach out online to set up your complimentary case evaluation with a top-rated Pasadena car accident lawyer.

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