The greater Los Angeles area is a huge network of highways and traffic. Many highways, including Route 60, have more than 4 lanes. To get from A to B anywhere around L.A. you really need to know in advance which lane to get into so you can make a smooth maneuver or exit.
Merging accidents, unfortunately, are quite common. They happen when drivers change lanes, or enter or exit the highway without concentrating. If you are injured in a merging accident, you may be able to claim compensation with the help of a personal injury attorney.
Route 60 in California
Route 60 links the Los Angeles Eastern Interchange to suburbs to the east of the city, eventually joining I-10 in Riverside County. The full length of Route 60 is not that long, only 70 miles, but it is an important stretch of highway and is usually very full of traffic in both directions.
As is the case with other highways, Route 60 has acquired more familiar names along its length. It starts near Los Angeles as the Pomona Freeway and becomes the Moreno Valley Freeway towards its eastern end. High population growth and industrial development means the full length of Route 60 is particularly congested at times, increasing the chance of merging accidents.
What To Do If Hit While Merging On Route 60
However your injuries occurred, as long as you were hit by another driver during a merging maneuver, you may be able to claim some compensation as long as you have sufficient evidence linking the accident to your injuries. Because of California’s comparative negligence rules, the level of compensation you eventually obtain is calculated according to how much fault is determined by all people directly involved in the accident.
The police will prepare a crash report if the accident was serious and this report will be an important part of the evidence used to support your claim.
A personal injury claim in California must be filed within 2 years of the injury, but if the person who hit you while merging was employed by a state or city government agency, then you will need to file an initial notice of claim within 6 months of the injury.
Evidence to Gather If Hit While Merging On Route 60
All personal injury claims depend on sufficient evidence that will convince an insurance adjuster or judge, if it comes to that, that the injuries were definitely caused by someone else’s negligence. Typical evidence that will be scrutinized includes:
- the police crash report;
- photographic evidence, even if it is taken by your cell phone;
- statements from anyone who saw or experienced the crash;
- reports and invoices from a vehicle repairer;
- medical reports and bills that help to document your injuries and how they were caused by the accident.
Hire an Attorney
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis and offer free consultations. That means that there is little value in trying to negotiate a compensation payment all by yourself. An attorney is particularly useful when the injuries are very serious or likely to last for a long time. It is important if this is the case that you get long term medical treatment and potential lost earnings carefully calculated to include in the claim.
