Interstate 5 in California – also known as I-5 or simply “the 5” – is a freeway that links the major cities of Sacramento, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, San Diego and others. It is one of the most vital freeways in Southern California, with a near-constant flow of heavy traffic.
Unfortunately, the 5 freeway can be a dangerous place for drivers and commuters due to dangerous motorists and hazards such as construction zones. If you get involved in an automobile accident on the I-5, find out what to do to protect your rights with our Orange County car accident lawyer.
Common Causes of I-5 Freeway Accidents
The I-5 freeway is a hot spot for traffic accidents due to several prominent safety risks, such as heavy traffic congestion, distracted drivers, large commercial trucks and dangerous road conditions. Some of the most common causes of accidents on this freeway include:
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Texting or using a cell phone while driving
- Speeding or racing
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Failing to check blind spots
- Cutting other drivers off
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Reckless, aggressive or road rage drivers
- Inexperienced drivers
- Construction zones and detours
- Road defects such as potholes
- Motor vehicle breakdowns
Under the state’s fault-based car insurance law, an injured accident victim must determine the cause of the crash before he or she can file a car insurance claim. The driver or party that is guilty of causing the freeway accident will be held responsible for paying for the damages.
High-Risk Areas of Interstate 5
Certain parts of the I-5 freeway are deadlier than others. This can be due to heavier traffic volume, dangerous road design or roadside construction. Statistically, the following parts of the 5 see higher numbers of traffic accidents than others:
- The Los Angeles area, especially downtown
- Orange County, including the El Toro Y
- San Diego, particularly near the US-Mexico border
- Long stretches of highway through Central California
Motor vehicle accidents on I-5 can take the form of rear-end collisions, chain-reaction crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, sideswipes, lane-change accidents and head-on collisions.
What to Do After an Accident on the 5
If you get involved in a car accident while on the busy I-5 freeway, try to remain calm and remember to take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Ensure your safety by moving your disabled vehicle off the road and putting your hazards on.
- Check yourself and everyone else involved in the accident for injuries.
- If there are any injuries, call 911 to ask for an ambulance.
- Get medical care for any injuries that you suffered without delay.
- Call the police to report the accident and obtain an official police report documenting the crash.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s) involved and witnesses.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage and your injuries before you leave.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and attend any follow-up appointments while you heal.
- Report the car accident to your car insurance company but do not admit fault.
- Contact a lawyer before proceeding with the insurance claims process.
An experienced injury attorney in Orange County attorney can help you seek fair financial compensation for your injuries and losses after an accident on the 5 freeway. Consult with an attorney at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for free to learn more.