Maison Law of California represents the victims of car accidents on Highway 99. Our California Car Accident Lawyers make sure accident victims receive the compensation they need to recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
Contact Maison Law for a free consultation to find out what your injury claim is worth and how to hold an insurance company fully responsible. This consultation is free and comes with no obligation.
Highway 99 Car Accident Dangers
People who drive Highway 99 regularly already know how dangerous this roadway is. People often speed and drive aggressively all the way from Kern County up into Northern California.
A Value Penguin study, updated in 2021, labeled Highway 99 as the 11th most dangerous road in America. The study showed that 350 people tragically lost their lives between 2015 and 2019 on Highway 99. Kern County saw the most deaths of any county along Highway 99 over that time.
California transportation officials report that over 2022, Kern County recorded 231 car accidents involving injury on Highway 99 with 14 tragic deaths reported. In the same year, Fresno County documented 191 car accidents on Highway 99. Those accidents led to at least 8 deaths.
As far as California routes go, Highway 99 was only beaten by I-5 and Highway 101 for having the most deadly accidents over a 5-year span.
Filing a Lawsuit After a Highway 99 Accident
You can be the safest driver possible along a busy route like Highway 99 and still be subjected to life-threatening dangers from careless drivers and hazardous conditions. After an accident that causes injuries, your focus will be on getting better. But it’s natural to stress about such enormous medical bills and ambulance fees.
If your accident involves a serious injury, insurance companies for at-fault drivers will try to limit the support you receive. Insurance adjusters could try to convince you your injury doesn’t qualify for any compensation at all.
You and your California car accident lawyer will be collecting strong evidence to submit to an insurer to show who caused the accident and how serious your injuries are. Then you’ll be looking for a fair car accident settlement offer from the insurance provider.
Your lawyer negotiates for the most possible in a settlement agreement. But if a car insurance company isn’t willing to take full responsibility, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. Your lawyer would have a strong case prepared if you were forced to take an insurer before a judge to get compensation.
You should know that most cases don’t make it to court. Insurance companies overwhelmingly prefer to settle out of court to save on paying court expenses and lawyers. Also, remember that insurance companies can suddenly agree to settle a case any time leading up to a courtroom trial or even during the trial.
Common Hazards on Highway 99
At highway speeds and with a never-ending stream of cars, one small mistake on Highway 99 can lead to a massive pile-up. Rush hours through major cities like Bakersfield, Turlock, Madera, Fresno, and Modesto bring even more traffic on Highway 99.
The conditions and crowds are bad enough, but it’s the carelessness of motorists that presents the true danger in the lanes.
These and other dangers on Highway 99 are always present and can lead to devastating accidents:
Careless Drivers – Every day you are likely to see distracted drivers weaving across lanes as they check a text message or try to eat lunch behind the wheel. Motorists looking at cell phones can look down and not realize that traffic is slowing down ahead only to cause a rear-end collision. Drivers can also merge or exit Highway 99 without checking mirrors and blind spots. They can tailgate, creating an accident risk where there shouldn’t be one.
Reckless Drivers – It’s a common sight to see drivers going 20 miles per hour or more over the speed limit. Drivers might also decide to drive aggressively as they switch lanes where there’s little room to do so. Motorists might consume alcohol and then jump on Highway 99 to make some unpredictable moves. All these choices put dozens of people at risk at once.
Trailers and Moving Vans – Regular drivers without experience driving something larger can pull U–Haul trailers, RVs, and landscaping equipment. Inexperienced drivers could be behind the wheel of a giant moving truck. These dangers combine unqualified drivers with long, heavy payloads to create collision risks.
Large Trucks – Fresno, Bakersfield, and the entire Central Valley are key areas for the agricultural and manufacturing industries. On every Highway 99 trip, motorists will be alongside big, heavy semi-trucks, produce trucks, oil tankers, and boxy delivery vans. An accident with these loaded-down vehicles can involve extra impact force and their higher vantage point can leave smaller cars trapped underneath them. Traumatic injuries are much more likely in any accident involving a big rig.
Road Hazards – Highway 99 could use repaving in many places. Drivers might encounter giant potholes, faded traffic lane lines, merge lanes that are too short, and other hazards that create Highway 99 car accident risks. Bridges that are in bad need of an overhaul can also drop debris on the road or even collapse.
When a truck driver or delivery driver causes your accident, the driver’s employer is often also responsible for the damages caused. A company like Amazon, a local farm, or a trucking company could have to provide recovery support to you and your family. Your California Highway 99 Accident Attorney would identify every party that shared blame for your collision and demand full compensation from every company involved.
Compensation Available After a California Highway 99 Car Accident
Your lawyer will first try to get all of your damages covered in an insurance settlement agreement. If insurance adjusters refuse to accept responsibility for the consequences you’ve had to endure, a lawsuit would be filed.
In either case, you’d be looking for compensation for some very specific hardships you and your family had faced since the accident.
These are just a few of the factors that will go into determining the amount you see on a car accident settlement check:
- Totals on hospital and doctor bills.
- Estimates on future costs associated with a long-term injury or permanent physical disability.
- Support for the physical pain you endure in a crash and during a difficult recovery.
- Support for the emotional trauma you face in the accident and in recovery.
- Reimbursement for car damage and personal property damage.
- Reimbursement for the paychecks you forfeit while missing time at work. This includes any time you may have to miss in the future.
- Wrongful death benefits. Major accidents on Highway 99 can rob families of loved ones. Close family members like a spouse or children of the victim can file a wrongful death claim to seek support for funeral costs and medical bills left behind. They should also expect support for the future when they’ll be without the guidance and financial support a loved one can no longer provide the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a Highway 99 car accident?
The statute of limitations on your car crash injury is two years. If you wait longer to file a claim with an insurance company, the insurer is usually allowed to reject it. Your recovery bills will be yours to pay.
What if I can’t afford a car insurance lawyer after a Highway 99 car crash?
You don’t need any money to secure strong legal representation. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement or judgment you receive.
Can I earn support if I am struck by a Highway 99 uninsured driver?
Yes. You would file a claim on your own uninsured motorist policy. Uninsured motorist coverage isn’t required in California, but most policies come with it unless you reject it in writing.
Contact a Highway 99 Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffer a serious injury due to the careless actions of another Highway driver, don’t allow an insurance company to determine what you should receive in compensation.
A devastating crash in the lanes of Highway 99 might leave you off your feet, unable to work, and with no way to pay your growing medical bills. You must demand fair compensation for each hardship you and your family have faced.
Take advantage of a free case consultation from Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law. This evaluation comes with no obligation to you or your family. We want to make sure you are treated fairly and receive the support you need to fully recover and get back to your normal life.
