A multi-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 8 blocked all lanes east of Interstate 5 and sent five people to area hospitals. According to reports, the crash occurred before the Morena Boulevard off ramp and involved four vehicles. Fire and rescue crews were dispatched to transport the victims.
There is no word at this point on what caused the crash, but an investigation is ongoing.
According to the Department of Transportation, between 2004 and 2008 there were 12,256 fatal accidents involving three or more vehicles. This means that only 6.5 percent of all accidents involved multiple vehicles. However, these crashes have proven to be very dangerous; every year, many people are injured or killed in multi-car accidents. In fact, it is rare to see a multi-car crash that does not include at least one injury.
Most multi-vehicle crashes are attributed to a series of events that leads to a chain reaction involving several cars. For example, a truck might drop debris in the road, causing one car to swerve or slam on brakes to avoid the obstacle. This could lead to another car rear-ending that vehicle, and another car whose driver has slammed on brakes skidding and sliding into the pileup. This scenario is quite common on interstates and freeways where vehicles are traveling at higher rates of speed on average than on secondary streets.
If you are injured in a multi-car accident, you may want to discuss your case with a personal injury attorney. An attorney may be able to help you with your attempts to collect damages in your case. It often helps to have professional support in a multi-car accident case, particularly when several vehicles are involved.
It is not unusual for insurance companies and drivers to blame each other in a multi-car crash situation. You may need an accident reconstruction expert or other professional to help you establish the liability of another driver or party.
Daniel M. Gilleon, a personal injury attorney in San Diego, can help you find the experts you need to successfully pursue your claim. You may be able to collect payments for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with your injuries. Contact Daniel M. Gilleon today for more information on how to pursue a multi-car accident claim.