Speeding and impaired driving lead the list

Speeding reduces reaction time and multiplies crash forces, and it is a factor in a large share of fatal collisions. Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving remains one of the top killers on California roads. Both are willful behaviors—which is why crashes they cause often support strong liability and, in some cases, punitive claims.

Distracted driving is rising

Phone use—texting, scrolling, navigation—takes a driver’s eyes and attention off the road. At freeway speed, glancing at a phone for a few seconds means traveling the length of a football field blind. California law prohibits handheld phone use while driving.

What this means for injury claims

When a crash is caused by speeding, impairment, or illegal phone use, that conduct is powerful evidence of negligence. Citations, toll and phone records, and dashcam or event-data-recorder data help prove exactly what the at-fault driver was doing.

Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes the most traffic deaths in California?

Speeding and impaired (alcohol/drug) driving are consistently the leading factors, with distracted driving a rapidly growing contributor, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety and NHTSA.

Is distracted driving illegal in California?

Yes. California prohibits holding and using a phone while driving. Handheld phone use is a citable offense and strong evidence of negligence if it causes a crash.

How does the cause of a crash affect my claim?

When speeding, impairment, or illegal phone use caused the crash, that conduct is compelling evidence of negligence and can strengthen your claim—and sometimes support punitive damages.