In Hollywood, between 7:00-9:30 in the morning and 3:30-6:00 in the evening, there are more drivers on the roads. Rush hour brings with it an increased risk of crashes as more people are heading to and from school, work, and other obligations.
If you’re in a rush hour crash or in a car accident at any time, you can always contact Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation with a Hollywood car accident claims lawyer. In a no-obligation, free consultation, a member of our family-based legal team can address your questions and explore whether you might have a claim. Before you make any decisions or decide to accept an insurance offer, find out how much your case may be worth.
Why Do Rush Hour Collisions Happen in Hollywood?
Rush hour is one of the most common times for car collisions. This is for a few reasons:
- There are more people on the road. There are more trucks, pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars all sharing the same roads and streets, and this added congestion can lead to bottlenecks and accidents.
- Everyone is in a hurry. People need to get to school, work, and other places on time in the morning. And in the evening, people just want to get home. This added pressure can mean some motorists choose to speed or drive recklessly, which can put everyone in danger.
- Distractions are more common. On a work day, drivers may be getting texts from work, daycare, or schools. Students may be getting updates about their classes or may be thinking about tests. After a long day, everyone is thinking about what’s happened and what they’re doing in the evening. These distractions, combined with heavier traffic, can lead to tragedies.
- Aggressive driving is more common. Since drivers may be distracted and worried about getting to work, school, or appointments by a specific time, they may be more likely to get frustrated. This can mean they make illegal maneuvers, speed, or drive aggressively.
- Unexpected situations can make a bad situation worse. A car breaking down on a busy road or bad weather can slow down traffic even more, leading to more frustration and even instances of road rage.
- Many Hollywood residents head out of town during this time. Many residents of Hollywood head outside the community for work, shopping, school, and medical care. This can mean rush hour is especially busy in town.
How Can I Prevent Rush Hour Collisions?
The best way to prevent collisions during rush hour is to give yourself plenty of time and to try to avoid the worst of the traffic. Check apps to see which roads are less busy and plan your route around them. If possible, schedule shopping, appointments, and other activities for less-busy times of the day.
Carpooling can help reduce traffic for everyone and helps you share the driving, which can put less pressure on you. If you do find yourself in a traffic jam, though, breathe deeply and try to stay calm. Getting angry only increases the risk of poor decisions and collisions.
Even if you take every precaution, however, you can still be in a rush hour crash. If this happens to you, try to get both cars to the side of the road in the event of a minor accident. This can prevent secondary accidents. Then, get help for anyone injured on the scene and try to exchange contact information and document as much as possible about the crash.
During rush hour, when you may already be late for work, it can be tempting to try to resolve the car accident quickly, especially if you think it was minor. This can be a costly mistake. Always take the time to take photos of the scene and always get medical help if you may have been injured. Always get contact and insurance information for anyone involved.
You can also always call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626, even from the side of the road after a crash. Our family-based legal team can schedule a free consultation for you with a Hollywood car accident attorney so you can discuss ways you can seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries.