Orange County is home to some of the most beautiful drives in California, but also some of the most treacherous. The dangers of Laguna Canyon Road (SR-133) are quickly becoming known to local drivers as head-on collisions are on the rise. Find out what you can do to protect yourself and how to handle the aftermath of a collision should one occur.

What Makes SR-133 So Dangerous?

SR-133 is dangerous for a variety of reasons. It features:

  • Blind curves
  • Cross-traffic
  • Frequent speeding
  • Hotspots for drunk driving
  • Wildfire and evacuation risks
  • Wildlife
  • Traffic congestion

Even if you’re a careful driver, you can’t control for all of these variables.

Proposed Changes to SR-133

The Laguna Canyon Road: Protect & Connect project has proposed several changes to Laguna Canyon Road that could help to improve its safety profile. Actions under consideration include:

  • Underground utilities
  • Bikeways
  • Pedestrian paths
  • Improved crossings
  • Signal enhancements
  • Enhanced transit and trolley stops

While these changes may help to improve the safety profile of SR-133, they won’t eliminate all of the dangers associated with this winding canyon road.

How You Can Protect Yourself

Short of avoiding SR-133, there are still a few steps you can take to protect yourself from danger while behind the wheel on Laguna Canyon Road. You can:

  • Wear your seat belt on every trip.
  • Avoid driving while intoxicated by assigning a designated driver.
  • Pay attention to the road, not to your phone.
  • Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Avoid driving while drowsy.
  • Share the road with bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists responsibly.
  • Look out for flashing lights.

These safety tips can help you no matter where you are driving, which is a good thing, because other Orange County roads can be equally dangerous. There were 17,809 crashes on Orange County roads in 2023, including plenty of head-on collisions on canyon roads.

What to Do if You Get Into a Head-On Collision

Head-on collisions make up just 3.7% of all multi-vehicle crashes, but they lead to a large number of serious injuries and fatalities. If you get into a head-on collision, here’s what you should do:

  • Protect your safety. If you can move without causing yourself more serious injuries, get out of the flow of traffic and help anyone else who was involved to do the same.
  • Call for help. You should check to see if anyone has been severely injured before calling 911 to report the accident, so you can let them know if emergency medical services may be necessary. Because head-on collisions tend to lead to severe injuries, this is often the case. You should also stay at the scene of the accident to file a police report. Don’t leave until you are given permission by the responding officer.
  • Gather evidence. Take photos of the accident scene, get contact information from other drivers, and talk to any witnesses who saw what happened. All of these forms of evidence can be used to bolster your claim.
  • Seek medical care immediately. Hoag Hospital Laguna Beach and Hoag Hospital Irvine are both close to SR-133. They’re good places to go for emergency care. You should head to the hospital or your local physician for a full evaluation immediately after the accident to make sure you haven’t sustained any hidden injuries and prove that any harm that was done occurred as a result of the crash.
  • Hire an attorney. As soon as you’re medically stabilized, contact a car accident attorney to assist you with your case. You should speak with an attorney before accepting any offer made by the liable party’s insurance company.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Main Cause of Highway Head-On Collisions?

A: The main cause of highway head-on collisions is driver error, resulting in a vehicle crossing the center line into oncoming traffic. These crashes are often triggered by specific negligent behaviors, such as distracted driving, impaired driving, unsafe passing, and drowsy driving. Head-on collisions can also occur when wrong-way drivers enter interstate off-ramps in the wrong direction or mistakenly turn down one-way highways.

Q: What Should You Not Tell Your Insurance Company?

A: You should not admit fault to your insurance company or downplay the severity of your injuries. Ideally, you should not give any kind of official statement to any insurance company without consulting with a car accident attorney first. Your attorney can help you avoid common mistakes, such as accepting a settlement offer that is too low to cover all of your damages from the accident.

Q: How Can You Avoid Head-On Collisions?

A: You can avoid head-on collisions by scanning the road ahead of you to identify hazards early and driving slightly to the right of the lane’s center. If oncoming vehicles drift into your lane, you should brake firmly to reduce speed, honk your horn, flash your headlights, and steer to the right. Don’t swerve to the left, as this could place you in even further danger of a head-on crash.

Q: What Should You Do if You Get Into a Head-On Collision?

A: If you get into a head-on collision, the first thing you should do is get to safety and help anyone else involved in the crash get away from the flow of traffic. Once everyone is safe, you can call the police to report the crash and request emergency medical services, if necessary. Your next steps should be to seek prompt medical attention and the help of a qualified car accident lawyer.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve got a Laguna Canyon Road car accident case on your hands, you should hire a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can explain local car accident laws and help you handle all the details of your case, from filing paperwork to negotiating with insurance companies.

The team here at Easton & Easton has extensive experience in handling complex, high-value car accident claims. Our strategic settlement architects know what it takes to get our clients compensated for 100% of their damages, and one out of every three cases we take on ends in a settlement of $100,000 or more. Keep in mind that past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

If a serious injury from a head-on collision has disrupted your life and career, don’t worry. We can help you get back on track. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.