With a length of just under 2,600 miles, the I-40 runs from East to West, with the West end starting at Barstow in California and ending at Wilmington in North Carolina. In Barstow City, other California roads join the highway and cross through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
It is also the third-longest highway in the country that sees a lot of activity throughout the day. Travelers from Los Angeles, CA, can use the I-15 through San Bernardino and head over to Newberry Springs, Needles Freeway, Mojave National Preserve, and many other places via the I-40.
Call Ehline Law for a Free Consultation Following an Accident on the I-40
The United States is no stranger to dangerous highways. However, not just the highways but also driver negligence causes some of the worst accidents. If you got into an accident on the I-40 that was not your fault, contact Ehline Law and our freeway auto accident attorneys today, as you may be eligible for compensation.
Widening of the I-40 in Orange County
In Southern California, the Department of Transportation accepted a request to widen the I-40 earlier this year. The highway is set to widen to six lanes for 11.5 miles at the cost of more than $236 million in a bid to improve the overall flow of traffic and reduce the risks of accidents in Orange County. Although there is a need to improve traffic throughout the highway, the widening of I-40 in certain areas will proceed in 2022, with the plan left unchanged.
Causes of Accidents on the I-40
The United States is one of the busiest countries on Earth, with just under 300 million vehicles on the freeways and highways daily. With so much activity on the country’s roads, the highways and freeways are at an increased risk of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 6 million car accidents in the country annually, with the most fatal crashes occurring on the Interstate Highway System.
With long stretches of road, it’s easy to have a drink or two to pass the time, drive negligently, or fall asleep accidentally. Statistics show that most of the accidents on a freeway are rear-end collisions due to distracted driving. Drivers who are not careful enter the highways through the left lane, getting hit by high-speed vehicles coming from behind, causing serious damage.
One way the authorities are looking to reduce the number of accidents on freeways and highways in the country is to have a desert oasis rest area after regular intervals where drivers can rest before continuing their journey.
Impact of Speed on Highways
Many would believe that highways are safe since they are long stretches of road with only a few challenges. However, driving on a highway is more stressful than one would imagine due to the high speeds of all vehicles. Even a minor accident on a highway can have deadly repercussions when drivers push beyond the allowed speed limit.
Speed affects a vehicle’s stopping distance, which means that the vehicle travels a certain distance even after braking. Studies have also shown that a 50% increase in speed results in a 125% increase in crash energy, meaning a more substantial, more impactful accident. Also, some vehicles are not crash-rated for high speeds, and pushing that limit can further worsen the accident.
What Should You Do After an Accident on the I-40?
After an accident, a car accident victim is usually in a state of shock, and it is important that they try to calm themselves down before assessing the situation.
Here is what you should do once you move your vehicle to the side of the road:
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Call the California Highway Patrol
Accident victims on the I-40 should immediately call local police authorities and report the incident to them before calling their insurance company. The local authorities take down the details of the accident scene and file a police report. These reports are really important if you decide to pursue legal action against the negligent party.
Taking pictures of the accident scene and the vehicles can help in filing claims against the negligent parties. These pictures act as evidence for validation purposes to prove who might be at fault. In fault-based states like California, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant was at fault if they wish to retrieve compensation.
Talk to witnesses and take down their contact details. Witnesses add a lot of strength to a personal injury case and will work in your favor.
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Head to the Medical Center
Sometimes, injuries can take time to appear, and even if you’re fine after a car accident, head to the medical center for a quick examination. If you get injured, make sure to start your medical treatment immediately, as prolonging can complicate the injuries further.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Once you’re ready to file claims, contact a qualified personal injury attorney to handle your case. The statute of limitations provides personal injury victims two years to file personal injury claims, so hurry up and contact us now.
Why Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney for Your Accident?
Any mistakes in the claims or legal process can have dire consequences on the compensation you get; therefore, having a qualified car accident attorney is your best bet for a smoother process. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a car accident attorney.
Dealing with Insurers
Injured victims are often stressed out by the financial repercussions of getting serious injuries, and adding insurance companies to the mix can further cause mental anguish. These victims accept the first offer an insurance company gives them so that they can end the back and forth with the financial institutions.
We understand the stress of dealing with insurers and are here to deal with them on your behalf. Insurance companies give low settlement offers to force financially desperate and mentally tired victims to take the offer and let go of their rights to pursue legal action. However, our qualified attorneys will protect your rights to get you maximum compensation for your loss.
Secondly, handing in the right documentation is important in expediting the claims process. If an accident occurred due to construction works, an attorney would know exactly the type of construction report that needs to accompany your claims form.
Assessing Claims
The legal process is often complicated and lengthy. There is a need to assess whether or not the claims are greater than the costs and challenges associated with pursuing legal action against negligent parties. Reach out to our attorneys and get a free consultation today on your car accident case.
Determining Claims
A good car accident attorney will have all the experience in their arsenal to draw upon and determine claims. Finding out how much your claims are worth is challenging and requires medical experts on board and prior case verdicts. An experienced lawyer will use their experience and also bring in resources to help determine the worth of your claims.
If you were in a car accident that was not your fault, contact us at (213) 596-9642 and get a free case review with our personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles County, California, today to obtain superior results and the best service. You can also fill out our website form for verification purposes only and receive a faster return call from our personal injury litigators in Los Angeles County, CA.
