Interstate 405 – also known as I-405, the 405 freeway or simply the 405 – is a major route that runs through the Greater Los Angeles area from Irvine to Sylmar. The 405 is often busy with heavy traffic congestion from commuters and commercial trucks.
Accidents on the 405 freeway can be catastrophic, inflicting life-threatening and fatal injuries on those involved. If you get injured in a collision on the 405, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Types of 405 Freeway Accidents
There are many opportunities for automobile accidents on a large and busy road such as I-405. Drivers may get bored in slow traffic and look at their phones, for example, or drive at excessive speeds to make it to work on time. Driver errors are often behind serious freeway accidents.
Common types of accidents reported on the 405 freeway include:
- Rear-end car accidents
- Lane-change accidents
- Sideswipe collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Motorcycle accidents
- Vehicle rollovers
- Large truck accidents
- Lost cargo load accidents
These collisions can result in injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, traumatic brain injuries, back and spine injuries, whiplash, lacerations, organ damage, and traumatic amputations. Sadly, many car accidents on I-405 are fatal.
Top Causes of 405 Freeway Accidents
Collisions that occur on the 405 are often the result of driver error. Careless and reckless drivers may violate traffic laws and make mistakes that increase the odds of a crash.
Examples include:
- Distracted driving
- Cell phone use while driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Road rage or aggressive driving
In addition to driver error, issues such as road defects, debris in the road, work zones and vehicle defects can contribute to freeway accidents in California.
Who Pays for a 405 Freeway Accident in California?
When seeking a financial recovery after a car accident on the 405 freeway, you have the right to hold someone else accountable under California’s fault law. Under this insurance law, you can file a claim against someone else’s insurance company regardless of the severity of your injuries.
All drivers in the state must carry minimum amounts of liability insurance to pay for others’ bodily injuries and property damage after causing a wreck. The required amounts are currently $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in injury coverage, as well as $5,000 for property repairs. For a successful car insurance claim, you must provide proof of the other driver’s fault.
Evidence to support your claim may include a police report, statements from eyewitnesses, photos and videos of the crash scene, and your medical records. If your injuries are too serious to allow you to collect evidence to build a claim, a personal injury lawyer in Orange County can step in to seek justice on your behalf.
How a Freeway Accident Attorney in California Can Help You
A personal injury lawyer who has experience with car accident cases in California will have the knowledge to negotiate with an insurance company and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
Your Orange County car accident lawyer can:
- Conduct a comprehensive investigation of the freeway accident
- Gather evidence
- Interview witnesses
- Hire highly qualified experts
- Communicate with insurance companies
- Take your case to court, if necessary
You will have the mental peace to focus on healing from your injuries while your attorney handles the legal legwork of your case for you. Contact an attorney today to learn more during a free consultation.