Carlsbad Accidents on Highway 5

Residents of Carlsbad in North County San Diego know just how much traffic can build up on Highway 5 during rush hour and, indeed, at most times of the day, especially in summer. Given that the 5 is one of the major north-south highways that runs along the west coast, it is not surprising that it is often a site of high-speed car accidents and fatal trucking accidents. According to a fact sheet from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 2,925 motor vehicle fatalities in California in 2015. While that number shows a slight but steady decline from previous years according to statistics from the California Office of Traffic Safety, our Carlsbad car accident lawyers know that the number remains much higher than it needs to be. Many Carlsbad accidents on Highway 5 are preventable.

If you or someone you love sustained a serious or life-threatening injury due to an accident on Interstate 5 in Carlsbad (or other stretches in Northern San Diego County), you should discuss your case with a highway accident lawyer in Carlsbad as soon as possible to learn more about filing a claim for compensation. In addition to the repair of your vehicle,

When Carlsbad residents and drivers in the area get hurt in car accidents on the 5, what are some of the most common injuries sustained? According to a fact sheet from the Mayo Clinic, cervical strain (or whiplash) is a particularly common type of injury suffered in rear-end auto accidents. It is a neck injury that results from a “forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Other frequent injuries that result from motor vehicle collisions on the I-5 in Carlsbad include but are not limited to the following:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injury (SCI) and other neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Facial lacerations
• Airbag injuries
• Broken bones
• Amputation and disfigurement
• Internal injuries and organ damage

Injury victims should feel confident seeking compensation for injuries caused by another driver’s negligence in Carlsbad. In some car accident lawsuits, the defendant might argue that the plaintiff was partially to blame for the accident or the severity of his or her injuries. For example, a plaintiff’s injuries might have been worse as a result of her failure to wear a seat belt. It is important for anyone injured in a Carlsbad accident on Highway 5 to know that, even if you bear some responsibility for your injuries, you can still recover damages, but you will likely need a lawyer to assist you.

Under California law, the state follows what is known as a “comparative fault” rule. This means that a plaintiff’s damages award will be reduced by the percentage of her liability, but her own negligence does not prevent her from recovery. For instance, if a jury decides that the plaintiff who forgot to wear a seat belt is 20% to blame for an accident, her damages award of $100,000 will be reduced by 20%, or $20,000, and she will recover $80,000. Even if a plaintiff is almost entirely to blame for an accident, she still can obtain compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

If you or someone you love recently sustained injuries in a crash on I-5 in North County San Diego, an experienced accident attorney in Carlsbad can discuss your options with you. Contact the Walton Law Firm today.