San Diego is home to some complicated highways and freeways, meaning that the chance of being involved in an accident is fairly significant each time you merge onto one. When visitors and tourists are first merging onto the I-5, they could be distracted and overwhelmed, which may put them and those around them at a higher risk of an accident. However, we can’t blame this all on tourists–San Diego residents make up a significant amount of the vehicles on our freeways, and as such, a significant amount of those involved in the accidents.
If you have been involved in an accident on a freeway or highway in or around San Diego, contact the team at Injury Trial Lawyers now to speak with an experienced San Diego highway car accident attorney about your options for getting the personal injury payments that you deserve. We will work with you from the very start, dealing with your insurance company to ensure that all paperwork is properly filed all the way up to the ruling in your trial if we must seek a full lawsuit.
Read more below about how we can help you get the money that you need after being injured in a freeway or highway crash in San Diego, and contact us now for a free consultation. During your consultation, you will be able to learn more about our process, how we can help you, and get an idea of what to expect when working with our team.
What To Do After an Accident On a Freeway
According to a report by NBC San Diego, hundreds of people died on the freeways around San Diego over the course of a decade. Countless more are injured each year in non-fatal accidents, and it is important that you know what to do if you are involved in one of these unfortunate accidents.
First, it is important that you move your vehicle out of oncoming traffic if you are able to, meaning that there is nobody seriously injured in your vehicle and that it is safe to do so without causing further problems. Getting out of the way of oncoming traffic, such as by getting to the breakdown lane or a rest pull off, is an important way to reduce the possibility of any additional collisions.
Contact 911 as soon as possible. Even if you are unable to move out of oncoming traffic for any number of reasons, the police will be able to divert traffic and ensure that the scene is secured and made safe while EMTs are handling injuries. If you are injured and the EMTs believe that you need immediate emergency medical attention, it is likely in your best interest to accept this attention.
If you are injured but do not receive immediate medical treatment or take an ambulance to the hospital, it is important that you see your doctor as soon as possible. In addition to getting treatment for your injuries, this initial meeting will establish medical records about your injuries, which will be important references during a lawsuit or negotiation.
Contact A Car Accident Attorney in San Diego Immediately
Once you have addressed the immediate needs following your accident like your safety and initial medical treatment, a great step to take is to start working with a personal injury lawyer, such as the team at Injury Trial Lawyers. We will begin working with your insurance company, as well as the other driver’s insurance representative, in order to begin negotiations aggressively on your behalf. We will be able to handle all of the necessary paperwork and processes to move you towards a fair settlement, and if our San Diego highway car accident attorney are unable to reach an agreement during settlement negotiations, then we will move into a full lawsuit in the San Diego Superior Court.
Highway accident FAQ
Who investigates crashes on San Diego freeways?
The California Highway Patrol usually investigates crashes on state freeways and highways. The report can usually be requested from the CHP area office.
Can Caltrans be responsible for a freeway crash?
Possibly, if a dangerous condition of the highway contributed (Cal. Gov. Code § 835). A government claim generally must be filed within six months (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2).
What if more than one driver caused the crash?
Each at-fault party can be responsible. Under California law, defendants are generally jointly liable for economic damages, but each is liable for non-economic damages only in proportion to their share of fault (Cal. Civ. Code § 1431.2).
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
Generally two years from the date of injury (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). If a government agency may be responsible, a written claim usually must be filed within six months (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2).