California Local Accident Resources
California Local Accident Resources
If Your Recent Accident Took Away Your Ability to Work
If this is the case, there are a number of resources to help you receive the monetary support you are entitled to.
- Social Security disability benefits – For people who can’t work because of a medical condition that’s expected to last one year or result in death.
- Supplemental Security Income – For adults and children with low income and limited resources
- Wage Loss and Car Accidents – if you get into a car accident and it’s not your fault, here’s a set of guidelines on how to apply for money from your car insurance company.
- If you need auto or collision repair services in the San Diego area: Automobile Repair Shop San Diego
Need help with requesting an official copy of the incident police report?
Emotional Support
Sometimes, even after the body heals from an accident, there remains a deep wound. If you’re seeking help coping with the mental trauma after a catastrophic car accident, check out the link below.
- Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc – A national nonprofit organization that’s been around since 1985. It has 14 affiliates serving 250 cities across the nation with specially trained volunteers ready to respond and support to victims in the first few hours after a traumatic accident.
- Therapists – No matter the issues you face, if you’re looking to talk to someone, this site allows you to search by geographic area, by specialty, by insurance coverage, and by name to find the ideal therapist for you.
- Psychologists – Search the national register to find the help you need in a wide range of health issues and subject matters.
- Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA) – The TDA provides information and assistance for the family members and friends of accident victims and survivors in the immediate aftermath of an accident and the months and years following.
- Spinal Cord Support Group – Don’t let the name fool you. This site has a comprehensive list of support groups for those suffering from a catastrophic injury in California ranging from spinal cord injuries to head trauma.
Financial Hardship Assistance
With the weight of legal fees, medical fees or both bearing down on you and your family, it may be in your interest to seek out additional help.
- CAL VCB – The California Victim Compensation Fund does just that – help pay for violent crime-related expenses. Fill out an application here!
Car Insurance Information
The California DMV requires certain coverages in comparison to other states. The minimum amount of liability insurance you must have is
- $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
- $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
- $5,000 for damage to property.
The California Department of Insurance is a tremendous resource to help you get insured. California is the largest insurance market in the Country and the 4th largest in the world with annual direct premiums of $310 billion. Contact them today for more information. Motor vehicle accidents are a devastating part of life. Every year thousands of people are affected by MVAs. Be sure you don’t deal with it alone. And if you’re interested in a free accident report of your incident, click here to request one!
Accidents Due to Drunk Driving
Drunk driving incidents are devastating in the amount of damage they can cause you or your family. According to the California DMV, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) legal limit is .08% for operating a regular vehicle or .04% if you’re operating a commercial vehicle and 01% if you’re operating a regular vehicle and under 21 years of age. Unlike with alcohol, there is no BAC for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). If an officer suspects drugs involved, a blood test is typically given, and a drug recognition expert is brought in to observe the individual. Currently, California ranks 32nd among states that have the worst DUI problems. Below are links to help you find the support you need.
- MADD – Standing for mothers against drunk driving, this nonprofit seeks to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. They have a 24-hour victim helpline at 877.MADD.HELP.
Accidents in California by the Numbers
Vehicle Miles Traveled
- California is 1st in the nation with 366,402 miles (millions) traveled.
Fatal Crash Totals
- 3,357 fatal crashes resulting in 3,623 total deaths.
- 9.2 deaths per 100,000 population.
- .99 deaths per one hundred million miles traveled.
Types of Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths
- Car occupant deaths = 1,330 (37%)
- Pickup and SUV occupants deaths = 586 (16%)
- Large Truck occupant deaths = 47 (1%)
- Motorcyclist occupant deaths = 535 (15%)
- Pedestrian deaths = 867 (24%)
- Bicyclist deaths = 146 (4%)
Crash Types
- Single vehicle = 2,063 (57%)
- Multiple vehicle = 1,560 (43%)
Alcohol Involvement
- Total drivers killed = 1,401
- Drivers killed with known BAC results = 470 (34%)
- Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08 = data unknown
Restraint Use
- Total fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants = 1,947
- Unrestrained fatally injured occupants = 587 (30%)
- Restrained fatally injured occupants = 1,212 (62%)
- Unknown restraint status of fatally injured occupants = 148 (8%)
Rural vs Urban
- Urban = 1,988 (55%)
- Rural = 1,519 (42%)
- Unknown = 116 (3%)
Revoked/Suspended and Unlicensed Drivers in California
- According to the CA DMV, revoked/suspended and unlicensed drivers are 2.6 and 2.73 times more likely to cause an accident respectively.
- The largest age range of those drivers is 20-29 years old.
- For drivers aged 19 or younger in two-vehicle fatal crashes, the percentage who were unlicensed drivers was almost four times higher than the percentage who were suspended or revoked.
Fatalities and Drivers With Invalid Licenses
- According to CrashStats, fatalities in crashes involving invalidly licensed drivers accounted for 25% of total fatalities.
California Grief & Trauma Resources
Resources by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths by Road User Type and State

Car Occupants
1318

Pickup and SUV Occupants
642

Large Truck Occupants
41

Motorcyclists
529

Pedestrians
858
