Every year, the SR-55 (State Route 55) freeway in Orange County sees dozens of accidents ranging from minor fender benders to catastrophic multi-vehicle collisions. As one of the busiest north-south routes in Southern California, this road is often congested with heavy traffic and aggressive drivers. If you get injured in an SR-55 freeway accident, contacting a local Orange County car accident attorney can protect your rights.
Why Is the SR-55 Freeway So Dangerous?
The SR-55 freeway, also known as the Costa Mesa Freeway, is a busy commuter route that sees thousands of daily drivers. Several things make driving on SR-55 unusually dangerous compared to other roads around Newport Beach.
Heavy Traffic
State Route 55 is a major thruway for residents who commute to and from Newport Beach from inland Orange County. It is especially congested during rush hour – once in the morning and once in the evening.
Stop-and-go traffic increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions. Speeding, tailgating and distracted driving also contribute to these accidents. Drivers who get stuck in heavy traffic may display aggression and dangerous road rage behaviors.
Road Wear and Tear
The Costa Mesa Freeway is known for having issues with traffic flow, congestion, design and safety. There are ongoing construction projects to try to improve these issues, which can also contribute to accidents by causing additional congestion. The heavy amount of daily traffic takes a toll on the quality of the road. Potholes, cracks and other problems with SR-55 can cause motorcycle accidents and various other collisions.
High Speeds
When SR-55 is not congested, drivers often engage in dangerous and reckless levels of speeding. Driving too fast for conditions increases the odds of high-speed collisions and serious accidents involving three or more vehicles. Speeding vehicles may lose control, flip or roll, veer off the freeway, or crash into surrounding vehicles.
Common Types of Accidents and Injuries
In Newport Beach in 2023, 494 victims were killed and injured in automobile accidents. Orange County as a whole reported 17,809 crash victims. Many of these accidents took place on local freeways, including SR-55.
Common types of accidents seen on the Costa Mesa Freeway include:
- Truck accidents
- Underride/override accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipes
- Lane-change accidents
- Pileups
- Distracted driving accidents
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Speeding accidents
Freeway accidents can inflict severe injuries on multiple parties. Examples include broken bones, crush injuries, concussions, whiplash, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and internal injuries.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a SR-55 Freeway Accident
If you get hurt in a car accident on the SR-55 freeway, you may be entitled to compensation from one or multiple car insurance policies. If another driver caused your crash through negligent or reckless driving, his or her car insurance provider must cover your losses. However, it will be up to you to prove fault and show evidence of your losses.
Dealing with an insurance claim adjuster is no easy feat after a serious freeway crash in Orange County. The insurance company that receives your claim will want to pay you as little as possible, and may try many things to get you to settle for less than you deserve. Preserve your rights by consulting with an experienced OC personal injury lawyer.