Downey Car Accidents Result From Problem Intersections and Freeway Proximity

Downey car accident lawyers will attest that, with its population exceeding 108,000, Downey has all the car accidents it can handle. The cause? Many say it's the Downey's accident-prone streets and intersections. Others lay the blame on four freeways (Interstates 105, 5, 605 and 710) that surround Downey.

Those who blame the Downey's roads point to Pangborn Avenue as one problem. The street has seen 11 car accidents in one year. Another hazardous intersection is Imperial Highway and Downey Avenue. As recently as March 2009, one person was killed in a three-car crash at Imperial Highway and Downey. And not long ago, a young motorcyclist lost his life when he collided with another vehicle at Lakewood and Firestone Boulevards.

"Better driver education and increased traffic enforcement at problem areas can reduce these tragic car accidents in Downey," observed John Bisnar.

Combining heavy congestion, speeding, and poor roadway conditions, Lakewood Boulevard has long been a traffic problem. The street's mid-block car accident history is almost one third higher than what the rest of Downey averages. Regrettably, seven of the Downey's worst fifty roadway segments can be found on Lakewood Boulevard.

In addition, three major car accident intersections--and ten of worst intersections in Downey--are on Lakewood Boulevard. The street's safety problems run the gamut from poor turning radius, to acceleration/deceleration ability, even sight distance. The good news is that several projects have been proposed to improve Lakewood Boulevard.

To smooth traffic and further reduce the possibility of auto accidents, Downey will synchronize traffic signals on Firestone Boulevard from Stewart & Gray Road to Imperial Highway. To keep a closer eye on traffic conditions, there are plans to install fiber-optic equipment and closed circuit cameras. Similar efforts have been proposed for Imperial Highway from Firestone to Carmenita Road, and Imperial from Paramount Boulevard to Bellflower Boulevard. Equipped with a wireless communications network, county officials will be able to change traffic lights in real time and respond quickly to Downey car crashes and congestion. This work is scheduled for completion by January 2010.

According to the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) in 2006, nine people lost their lives in Downey car collisions and 664 were injured. Two pedestrians were killed and 50 were injured in Downey traffic accidents. DUI car accidents accounted for three deaths and 56 injuries. Motorcycle accidents killed one person and injured 37. In 2007, there were nine fatal accidents in Downey.

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

BISNAR | CHASE, in conjunction with WeTip, a leading anonymous crime reporting service and law enforcement advocacy non-profit organization, is launching a program intended to wipe out hit-and-runs in the state of California by offering rewards for tips leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. See Hit-and-Run Reward for more details.

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.