Rush Hour in Los Angeles Equals More Than Just Traffic

By Aghabegian & Associates on February 28, 2020

If you’re like most Angelenos, you understand the horror of rush hour traffic in one of the worst traffic areas in the US. Between the 101, 105, 110, 210, 57, 5 and other freeways – there’s no avoiding the stop-and-go traffic at certain times of the day unless you’re one of the lucky few who work from home or on a schedule that avoids rush hour. Unfortunately, rush hour doesn’t just mean wasting your valuable time in traffic – it also means a significantly increased risk of being involved in a vehicle accident. One out of every four accidents in Los Angeles occurs during rush hour, possibly due to the increased stress, fatigue, frustration, and distraction that occurs when people are stuck on one of our many heavily traveled freeways.

Are There Local Stretches of Road You Should Avoid at Certain Times in Los Angeles County?

Of the top 25 worst freeway segments in the US, 11 exist in Los Angeles County. The three worst freeway segments during rush hour in the country are:

• The 101 from Topanga Canyon Blvd to Vignes St
• The 101 from Soto St to Haskell Ave
• The 10 from 20^th St to Alameda St

Avoiding these very dangerous and congested areas during rush hour is advisable – both to save you time and reduce the risk of an accident.

How Can You Best Get Through Rush Hour?

If you don’t have a choice and you’re forced to brave rush hour traffic in LA, it’s vital that you stay aware and stay focused. It is easy to get bored, look at your phone or lose patience – and make a decision that could precipitate an accident. Some tips that might help are:

• Listen to audiobooks, good music, or podcasts – anything that you can listen to while driving and keeping your eyes and attention on the road.
• Alternate your routes – even if they’re all congested, changing your traveled route can help make it less monotonous
• Don’t rush it – accept that your trip will take time to avoid becoming overly stressed and frustrated
• Be considerate of others – everyone on the road is experiencing the same horrible traffic, and aggressive driving behavior makes things worse
• Never use your phone or engage in any action that takes your eyes and attention off the road ahead. Even if you’re in stop-and-go traffic, texting or distracted driving puts you and others at risk

While several freeways are known to be dangerous during rush hour, you can avoid the particularly rough patches of freeway and intersections and reduce your risk of being involved in a collision

What Should You Do if You Have an Accident?

If you have an accident, you need to remain calm. Pull to the shoulder of the freeway if the accident is minor, exchange information, and call 911 for law enforcement and emergency medical personnel to assist. The police will file an accident report if more serious damage or any injury has occurred. The police report can support your insurance claim, and medical attention is a top priority. Getting your vehicle out of traffic can help avoid another collision occurring.

When Should You Call a Lawyer?

If you sustain bodily harm or injury in an accident, it is time to call an auto accident attorney. A knowledgeable and experienced auto accident attorney can help you recover the compensation you need to deal with the ramifications of injury, including medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.