Common Causes of Personal Injuries in San Diego

San Diego is known for its stunning beaches, lively neighborhoods, and active lifestyle. But even in a city as beautiful as ours, serious accidents can occur when you least expect them. From car crashes on busy freeways to slip-and-fall incidents in local businesses, personal injuries can quickly disrupt daily life and cause long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

At Hulburt Law, we’ve helped countless San Diegans navigate the aftermath of life-changing injuries. Drawing from years of legal experience, we’ve seen that many of these incidents share common causes—many of which are preventable. By understanding the leading factors behind personal injuries in our region, you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Here are some of the most common causes of personal injury in San Diego—and what you should know about them.

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1. Negligence: A Root Cause of Many Accidents

Negligence is the foundation of most personal injury claims. Under California law, negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would in a similar situation, resulting in harm to another. This legal concept is codified in California Civil Code § 1714(a), which states that everyone is responsible for injuries caused by their lack of ordinary care.

Real-World Examples

• Drivers who ignore traffic laws or fail to maintain their vehicles can cause serious car accidents.
• Property owners who neglect to repair dangerous conditions on their premises may leave visitors vulnerable to slips, trips, and falls.
• Contractors who disregards OSHA standards, creating unsafe conditions that injure workers or passersby.
• Companies that fail to enforce safety protocols or create hazards through carelessness can also lead to injuries.

Proving Negligence

To establish a personal injury claim based on negligence, California courts follow a four-part test:

1. Duty of care – the defendant owed a legal duty to the plaintiff.
2. Breach – the defendant breached that duty through action or inaction.
3. Causation – the breach directly caused the injury.
4. Damages – the plaintiff suffered actual harm or losses.

These principles are further shaped by California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) No. 400, which guide courts and juries in applying the standard of care in negligence cases.

At Hulburt Law, we rely on these legal standards to build strong, evidence-based cases that protect our clients’ rights. If you’ve been harmed due to someone else’s carelessness, you deserve experienced legal representation.

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2. Distraction: A Growing Threat

In San Diego—and across California—distracted driving and distracted walking are significant, growing threats. Smartphone use has made negligence more common, and the numbers show the consequences.

Texting & Driving

• In California, 140 people died in traffic crashes linked to distracted driving in 2021—a 27% increase from the year before
• Nationally, text-messaging drivers are 23 times more likely to cause a crash than attentive drivers
• One in four U.S. crashes involves a texting driver

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California Laws

California law addresses these dangers directly:

• Vehicle Code § 23123 makes it illegal to drive while holding a cell phone unless you're using a hands-free setup.
• Vehicle Code § 23123.5 bans composing or reading texts, emails, or social media while driving.
• Vehicle Code § 23124 prohibits any phone use by drivers under 18, even hands-free, except during emergencies.

Penalties include fines (around $20–$150 for first offenses), increased insurance rates, and potential misdemeanor charges for repeated violations

What This Means for You

Distraction doesn’t just increase your odds of being involved in an accident—it can be the difference between minor harm and life-altering injury. California’s strict laws show how serious the state takes this threat. If you’ve been injured in a crash involving distracted driving, or if you were walking or cycling when a distracted driver hit you, you have the right to justice.

At Hulburt Law, our experience shows that distraction-related cases often hinge on recovering phone records, GPS logs, and witness statements—tools we use to build strong claims. When lives are affected by inattention, The Truth Demands Justice.

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3. Reckless Behavior: Putting Lives in Danger

Reckless behavior—such as speeding or driving under the influence—is more than careless; it's dangerous, criminal, and often leads to catastrophic outcomes.

DUI & Drug-Impaired Driving

• In 2022, California experienced 4,428 traffic fatalities, with 1,479 (about 33%) involving alcohol-impaired drivers and 52.9% of tested fatalities involving drugs and/or alcohol in 2021.
• In 2024, California recorded 1,329 serious-injury or fatal crashes involving DUI drivers.
• Nationally, around 30% of all crash fatalities involve alcohol impairment.

Under California law:

• Vehicle Code § 23152(a) prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Vehicle Code § 23152(b) sets a legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08%, with stricter thresholds for under-age or commercial drivers.
• Penalties can include license suspension, mandatory treatment programs, and even jail time.

Reckless Driving Under Vehicle Code § 23103

California's Vehicle Code § 23103 prohibits reckless driving—defined as operating a vehicle with "willful or wanton disregard" for others’ safety. This offense is a misdemeanor, carrying severe consequences:

• Jail time from 5 to 90 days
• Fines between $145–$1,000
• 2 points on your driving record

If reckless driving results in injury, the charges escalate under § 23104, allowing prosecutors to pursue felony charges and harsher sentencing .

Why Reckless Acts Are So Dangerous:

• Speeding and aggressive driving contribute to nearly one‑fifth of traffic safety concerns in California.
• Driving under the influence—whether alcohol or drugs—dramatically increases the chance of serious injury or death, both for drivers and vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.

What This Means for Personal Injury Victims

When someone drives recklessly, they’re not just making a poor choice—they’re breaking the law. That legal standard helps strengthen personal injury claims by providing clear evidence of wrongdoing. At Hulburt Law, we partner with experts to reconstruct accidents, verify sobriety levels, and prove behaviors like speeding or intoxication—all vital to securing justice and compensation.

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"We uncover the truth behind the accident, so that justice can be served." - Leslie Hulburt

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4. Defective Products: Hidden Dangers

When manufacturers and distributors fail to ensure product safety, the consequences can be severe—even fatal. Common examples include:

• Faulty car parts leading to accidents.
• Defective medical devices causing harm rather than healing.
• Unsafe household appliances resulting in burns, cuts, or electrocution.

How Common Are Defective Product Injuries?

• California law imposes strict liability on manufacturers for defects that cause harm, even if there was no intent or negligence.
• Nationwide, the median payout in product liability cases is approximately $748,000, with cases involving notable disasters, such as the PG&E wildfires, reaching multi-billion dollar settlements.
• High-profile incidents continue: a faulty third-party car jack sold on Amazon recently led to a California wrongful-death lawsuit, following at least two deaths linked to the same product.

California Laws and Legal Protections

• Victims have two years from discovery to file a product liability claim under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
• California law recognizes three types of defects: design, manufacturing, and warning defects..
• Landmark case Greenman v. Yuba Power Products (59 Cal.2d 57) established that if a product injures someone when used as intended, the manufacturer is strictly liable—even without proof of negligence.

What This Means for Consumers

If you've been injured by a defective product—such as a medical device, power tool, or car part—you may be eligible for compensation that covers:

• Medical costs and ongoing care
• Lost wages and earning potential
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• In severe cases, punitive damages if the manufacturer knowingly sold a dangerous product

Gather and preserve the product, packaging, and any warnings; documentation is essential for any successful claim.

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5. Premises Hazards: Unsafe Spaces

Unsafe conditions at homes, businesses, or public spaces are a widespread cause of serious injuries.

Frequency and Impact

• Falls are the leading cause of premises liability claims in California, accounting for approximately 33% of preventable injuries, with older adults particularly at risk—over 1.5 million older Californians were injured in falls in 2020.
• Average slip-and-fall settlements range widely—from around $10,000–$60,000—but cases involving surgery or severe trauma can exceed $150,000, and catastrophic cases (e.g., TBIs, fractures) may reach millions of dollars.
• Some California settlements have topped $6–8 million, such as a restaurant fall in San Diego resulting in a hip and pelvic fracture ($6.9M), and a traumatic brain injury in a retail store ($8M).

What California Law Says

• Property owners owe a legal duty of care under Civil Code § 1714 to maintain safe premises and warn of known dangers.
• California uses comparative negligence, so your recovery may be reduced if you share fault.
• Lawsuits must be filed within two years of injury (six months for incidents involving government property).

Common Hazards Include:

• Slippery floors without warning signs
• Cracked sidewalks, missing handrails, uneven pavement
• Poor lighting in stairwells, parking facilities
• Unfenced pools or inadequate security
• Dog bites—owners are strictly liable for injuries‍

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The Truth Demands Justice

At Hulburt Law, we conduct thorough investigations, engage experts, secure records, and reconstruct accident scenes to build compelling claims. Our San Diego Personal Injury Attorneys believe that every victim of personal injury deserves justice. Conor and Leslie Hulburt are dedicated to fighting for individuals who have suffered due to negligence, reckless behavior, and unsafe conditions. With numerous awards and a history of winning complex cases, we are here to ensure that your story is heard and your rights are protected.

If you or a loved one has been injured, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us fight for the compensation and closure you deserve because, at Hulburt Law, we believe The Truth Demands Justice.

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Related Content:

• Types of Personal Injuries in San Diego
• Role of a Personal Injury Attorney in San Diego

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