Commuting on the Sepulveda Pass can be beautiful, but it can also be dangerous. This steep, curving road traverses mountainous terrain that creates significant blind spots, rapid elevation changes, and sharp turns. Frequent severe traffic congestion only serves to make accidents more common, and multi-car pileups occur frequently. The question is, who is liable for a rear-end chain reaction on the 405?

Where Is the Sepulveda Pass?

Located in the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles, the Sepulveda Pass separates the San Fernando Valley to the north from the Westside of Los Angeles to the south. This section of the 405 serves as the primary commuter route over the mountains.

The Sepulveda Pass was first turned into a road in 1935, and by the mid-1950s, the Sepulveda Highway, now known as Sepulveda Boulevard, saw around 40,000 vehicles crossing it daily. The 405 was extended over the Pass in the 1960s and was completed in 1962. While the larger highway improved safety in some ways, the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass is still a highly dangerous road, and construction projects to improve it are still underway.

Why Multi-Car Rear-End Collisions Are So Common

Rear-end collisions are so common on the Sepulveda Pass primarily due to the extreme and often unpredictable congestion of the 405. When combined with aggressive driving practices like tailgating, distracted driving, and the limited visibility caused by the mountainous terrain, this congestion can have devastating consequences.

Who Is at Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Pileup?

Determining fault in multi-vehicle pileups can be challenging because these chain-reaction accidents involve multiple vehicles. They generally begin with an impact between two cars, and subsequent crashes occur as drivers behind or near the collision are unable to stop in time. In many cases, multiple drivers share liability for causing the initial crash and contributing to subsequent collisions.

Insurance adjusters and courts determine liability by breaking the crash down into component parts and determining the cause of each impact. This requires a thorough investigation of the evidence, which can include:

  • Witness statements
  • Dashcam footage
  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Police reports
  • Accident reconstructions

The driver who caused the initial impact is typically assigned most of the liability for the crash. However, drivers who contributed to secondary collisions may also be found partially to blame.

California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Law

In California, accident victims can file claims against other liable drivers to recover compensation even if they were partially to blame for the crash. This theory of pure comparative negligence is often relevant in multi-car pileups on the 405. You can pursue compensation as long as you were not 100% to blame for the crash that caused your injuries.

Under the Golden State’s pure comparative negligence laws, your final compensation amount can be decreased commensurate with the amount of blame you’re assigned for the accident. If you were initially going to get $200,000 in compensation for severe injuries caused by a crash, but you were determined to be 50% at fault, you’d still receive $100,000 in a final settlement.

The Importance of Hiring a Skilled Attorney

It’s sometimes the case that car insurance companies attempt to place more than a fair amount of blame on accident victims in an effort to decrease the amount of compensation they’re required to pay out. Having a lawyer on your side who can evaluate the evidence and determine how much liability you held for your role in the multi-car pileup can make it easier to avoid this unscrupulous tactic and get the compensation you are owed.

FAQs

Q: Who Is Responsible for a Chain Reaction Car Accident?

A: Who is responsible for a chain reaction car accident varies. Insurance adjusters and courts determine liability by reconstructing the accident and breaking it down into component parts. It’s often the case that multiple parties share liability for multi-vehicle crashes. You can claim damages even if you were determined to be partially at fault.

Q: Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in California?

A: The tailing driver is almost always at fault in a rear-end collision in California, as California Vehicle Code Section 21703 requires all drivers to maintain a safe following distance. There are, however, some exceptions to the rule. If the front driver had malfunctioning brake lights, made an unsafe or illegal maneuver, reversed suddenly, or experienced a mechanical brake failure, the trailing driver may not be held 100% liable.

Q: How Do Insurers Determine Who Was at Fault for an Accident?

A: Insurers determine who was at fault for an accident by evaluating all of the evidence, including police reports, photographs of the accident scene, dashcam or traffic camera footage, witness statements, and testimony from accident reconstruction professionals. In many cases, liability is shared among drivers. Your California car accident attorney can make sure that the insurance adjuster’s assignment of liability is fair and accurate.

Q: What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Claim Adjuster Following a Rear-End Accident?

A: There are several things you should not say to an insurance claim adjuster following a rear-end accident. You should not admit fault for the accident by apologizing or trying to explain what happened, nor should you downplay the severity of your injuries. You should speak with an experienced attorney prior to making a recorded statement to any insurance company.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been involved in a rear-end accident, it doesn’t matter which car you were in. You should hire a car accident lawyer as soon as possible following the crash. You can work with the team here at Easton & Easton to prove liability and damages, negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company, and get the compensation you deserve.

Doctors and other attorneys frequently refer clients to our firm for good reasons. We’re committed to protecting drivers and their families when severe injuries disrupt their careers. We have extensive experience in interpreting car accident laws and handling complex rear-end collision cases.

One in three of the settlements we obtain for clients is for $100,000 or more, and we’ve recovered over $2 billion in damages. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Let us help you. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.