Traffic crashes can cause injuries at any speed, and even in parking lots. However, when a collision happens at highway speeds, the damage and injuries can be amplified. With speed limits of 65 miles per hour, highways are hotbeds for severe crashes and, too often, fatalities. They can also lead to complex legal claims with liability disputes, multiple parties, and additional complexities.
At Block LLP, we help families understand their rights and pursue fair compensation after highway car accidents in Burbank. Call today to set up a free consultation with a member of our legal team.
Major Highways Around Burbank and Accident Patterns
Burbank is situated along major highways, including Interstate 5 and Highway 134, which carry heavy daily traffic. Highways see frequent accidents during rush hours, while construction zones, hills, and curves with limited visibility increase risks of rear-end collisions, merge accidents, and road rage incidents.
Why Highway Accidents Are So Dangerous
High speeds make highway crashes in Burbank much more severe than city street accidents. At 70 mph, vehicles need about 300 feet to stop, so drivers have less time to react to sudden dangers ahead.
Multiple vehicles often get involved in highway accidents. When one car crashes, the others behind can’t stop in time. Chain-reaction collisions involve three, four, or more vehicles.
Limited escape routes make highways dangerous. Concrete barriers and heavy traffic prevent drivers from swerving to avoid crashes. This forces head-on impacts or rollovers when drivers lose control.
Common Causes of Freeway Crashes
Highway accidents often happen fast and with serious consequences. Distracted or aggressive driving, following too closely, and sudden traffic changes make freeways especially risky. Other frequent causes include:
- Drowsy driving
- Impaired driving
- Mechanical failures
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Violations in construction zones
At Block LLP, we help victims of freeway accidents in Burbank manage complicated claims and pursue fair compensation for serious injuries.
Serious Injuries from High-Speed Highway Crashes
Highway accidents in Burbank often cause life-threatening injuries because of the extreme forces involved. Common injuries include:
Some victims need emergency transportation to emergency rooms, and recovery times are often long.
How Fault Is Determined in Multi-Vehicle Highway Accidents
Determining fault becomes complicated when multiple vehicles are involved. Chain-reaction crashes might have several contributing causes. The first driver who caused the initial crash bears primary responsibility.
Sometimes multiple drivers share fault for a highway collision in Burbank. If one driver was speeding and another changed lanes unsafely, both might be partially liable. California’s comparative fault law divides responsibility based on each driver’s contribution.
Government agencies can be liable if dangerous road conditions contributed to crashes. Poor signage, inadequate barriers, or maintenance problems can make agencies partially responsible for accidents.
What to Do After a Burbank Highway Accident
Highway accidents happen fast and can be very dangerous. Knowing the right steps to take helps protect your safety and legal rights.
- Stay in your vehicle if it’s safe and traffic is moving, and turn on hazard lights
- Call 911 immediately for emergency help
- Move to the shoulder if possible, but only if it’s safe
- Avoid getting out of your car in high-speed traffic areas
- Get medical attention even if injuries don’t seem serious at first
At Block LLP, we guide highway accident victims through the recovery and claims process, helping ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Protect Your Rights With a Burbank Highway Car Accident Attorney
Highway crashes can cause serious injuries and involve complicated liability. Insurance companies often dispute fault in multi-vehicle accidents.
At Block LLP, our seasoned attorneys have experience handling highway car accidents in Burbank and know how to gather evidence and prove fault. Getting legal help early protects your rights and ensures you file your claim within California’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Call now to get started on your legal claim.