As Coquitlam continues to grow, so does the traffic on our city streets. As residents, we all must be cautious, remain alert, and stay attentive when driving to protect ourselves and others from harm.
Despite this duty, not all motorists choose to operate their vehicles responsibly. Some may speed, use smartphones while driving, drive while impaired, or otherwise behave carelessly behind the wheel. When this happens, an accident could occur, resulting in severe or catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage.
Our law firm works to keep the public informed by providing the following information on how accidents occur and where they most often occur in Coquitlam in the hopes that it will help keep you and your family safe.
Causes of Crashes in Coquitlam
Some of the most commonly reported causes of collisions in Coquitlam include:
- Distracted Driving — Drivers can easily be distracted by dashboard controls and other devices in their vehicles, but many motorists cause distracted driving accidents because they were using a cellular phone while driving.
- Impaired Driving — A motorist who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs could easily cause a serious or fatal crash.
- Fatigue — All drivers are susceptible to exhaustion, and a tired driver lacks the alertness necessary to remain focused and react quickly if required. Fatigued drivers may even fall asleep at the wheel, which could result in a collision with cars in other lanes, crossing over into oncoming traffic, striking pedestrians, or other devastating accidents.
- Racing and Reckless Driving — Ignoring the rules of the road is negligence, pure and simple. These rules, like established speed limits, exist to keep us safe from harm, and a speeding driver puts everyone at risk.
- Tailgating — Drivers who don’t leave enough following distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them are much more likely to be involved in sudden rear-end collisions.
- Wrong-Way Driving — Some drivers cause devastating head-on collisions when they turn the wrong way onto one-way streets or highways.
- Bad Weather — While inclement weather can be a factor in car accidents, drivers are ultimately responsible for operating their vehicles safely.
- Vehicle Defects — Some accidents may stem from mechanical issues such as brake failure, steering issues, or other causes that may be the result of defective parts or improper repairs.
Not all of these causes are immediately obvious, and you will want to have a lawyer conduct an independent investigation to determine the cause of your car accident.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Coquitlam
Data drawn from statistics on ICBC’s Lower Mainland Crash Map show five of the top motor vehicle accident crash sites in Coquitlam include:
- Brunette Avenue and its onramp and offramp and the Trans-Canada Highway
- Lougheed Highway and Westwood Street
- Barnet Highway and Lougheed Highway and Pinetree Way
- Lougheed Highway and North Road
- Mary Hill Bypass and its onramp and offramp and United Boulevard and Turning Lane
Brunette Avenue and its onramp and offramp and the Trans-Canada Highway were also included on a list of the Top 10 crash intersections in Lower Mainland by Straight.com as well as a list of the Lower Mainland’s most dangerous intersections compiled by Urban Valley Transport, a freight services company. In September 2018, News 1130 reported that Shaughnessy Street and Lions Way was one of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians with four crashes in 2017.
How Our Coquitlam Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
If you suffered serious injuries or your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle accident in the greater Coquitlam area, you need help from an experienced car accident lawyer. You should not try to deal with an ICBC claim on your own if you are coping with catastrophic injuries. Our team will take that burden off your plate and help you demand the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Klein Lawyers has been helping car accident victims in British Columbia for more than two decades. You can have our firm review your case as soon as you call (604) 706-1359 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
