Highway 15 Accidents in Escondido

Residents of Escondido, California know that Highway 15 is a major route to head north into the Riverside County area or to commute southbound into San Diego. For most it’s a headache, because traffic jams can be severe, and Highway 15 accidents are not uncommon. While many commuters drive on I-15 on a daily basis, it is also a popular route for large trucks carrying goods in north-south directions. Indeed, 18-wheelers are a common sight on Highway 15 through the Escondido and Poway stretch, and truckers and passenger car drivers alike often share the road. While many people drive on I-15 regularly and without incident, far too many serious and fatal car accidents occur on this highway.

If you or someone you love recently sustained serious or life-threatening injuries in a Highway 15 accident, you may be able to seek compensation by filing a claim with the negligent driver’s auto insurance carrier, or, if necessary, hiring a qualified lawyer to file a car accident lawsuit. An experienced Escondido lawyer like Randy Walton can help with your case.

Many Escondido area residents appreciate the numerous I-15 corridor improvements that have occurred in recent years. As an information sheet from Keep Moving San Diego explains, new I-15 Express Lanes “provide 20 miles of flexible travel between State Route 78 in Escondido and State Route 163 in San Diego to ease congestion and keep travel times reliable.” The highway’s Express Lanes have been recognized for their innovative features that help to prevent heavy traffic. At the same time, auto accidents continue to occur.

What causes most Highway 15 accidents? According to a report from the California Office of Traffic Safety, the following are among the most common reasons for car crashes on the I-15 and throughout the state of California:

• Speeding;
• Alcohol-impaired driving;
• Drug-impaired driving;
• Distracted driving; and
• Reckless or aggressive driving.

The following statistics from the report help to clarify the underlying causes of many collisions in Escondido:

• 882 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities occurred in 2014, yet the total of alcohol-impaired fatalities rose to 29% of all fatalities;
• 28% of motorcyclists killed in collisions had a BAC of greater than 0.08 in 2014;
• 32% of drivers killed in motor vehicle accidents in California tested positive for drugs (either legal or illegal);
• Teen driving fatalities, along with distracted driving incidents, have risen drastically;
• Between 2013 and 2014, teen driving fatalities increased by more than 26%; and
• 3,154 people died in distracted driving accidents in 2013, and an additional 424,000 suffered nonfatal injuries.

If you or someone you love recently got hurt in a crash on Highway 15 in Escondido, it is important to speak with a Highway 15 car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that you file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out. Under California law, injury victims who want to file a car accident lawsuit have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim for compensation. Failing to file your claim within two years can bar you from recovery.

If you have questions about filing a personal injury lawsuit after an I-15 crash, an experienced highway accident attorney in Escondido can help with your claim. Contact the Walton Law Firm at 760-571-5500 today to speak with an advocate about your options.