Highway Accidents in Santa Rosa

Several major roads - including Highway 101 and Highway 12 - run straight through the heart of Santa Rosa. These highways facilitate local traffic and connect the city to other major cities across Sonoma County and the state of California. Unfortunately, given the high rate of travel and constantly changing traffic patterns, highway accidents in Santa Rosa aren’t uncommon.

When you’ve been injured or lost a close family member in a highway accident in Santa Rosa, California, don’t hesitate to call Singleton Schreiber. You could have the right to recover compensation, and our Santa Rosa car accident lawyers can help you demand the top-dollar financial award you deserve.

As fearless advocates for California’s car accident victims, we’ve successfully forced insurance companies and other formidable defendants to pay our clients over $3 Billion in jury awards and settlements. Discover how our award-winning trial attorneys can make a difference in your life after a highway accident, too.

We offer a free consultation. Call our Santa Rosa, CA, law office today.

How Common Are Accidents on Santa Rosa Highways?

According to crash data reported by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 516 car accidents were reported in Santa Rosa, California, in 2023.

More than one-third of these collisions happened on Santa Rosa highways. In total, 176 accidents unfolded on Highways 101 and 12. While no one was killed in these highway collisions, at least 255 people sustained injuries.

What Types of Car Accidents Happen on Highways in Santa Rosa?

Rear-end collisions are the most frequently reported type of collision on Santa Rosa highway. In 2023, nearly 62 percent of all car accidents on Highway 101 and Highway 12 were rear-end crashes.

Other types of car accidents frequently seen on Santa Rosa’s highways include:

• Sideswipes, typically accounting for 10 percent of collisions
• Broadside accidents, making up 9.6 percent of accidents
• Rollovers, accounting for roughly one out of every 22 crashes

Head-on collisions happen infrequently on Santa Rosa highways, only accounting for about one percent of all crashes.

What Causes Highway Accidents?

While accidents can happen for a multitude of reasons, some of the most common causes of collisions on Santa Rosa highways include:

Distracted Driving

Accidents are much more likely to happen when drivers aren’t paying attention. All too often, drivers text, talk on the phone or engage in conversation with passengers and don’t notice changes in traffic conditions, other vehicles changing lanes, or hazards in the road.

Speeding

Santa Rosa’s highways have set speed limits, but that doesn’t stop some drivers from driving a bit too fast. Unfortunately, as speed increases, so does the risk of an accident. The faster a vehicle travels, the less time a driver has to react to changes in traffic, which is common on highways as vehicles frequently enter and exit the road, merge into traffic, and change lanes. In 2023, speeding was a factor in more than 55 percent of all accidents on Santa Rosa highways.

Improper Merging

Many highway accidents occur on arterial roads when vehicles are merging into traffic. Most often, drivers are distracted and don’t see the merging vehicles or refuse to yield the right of way to allow traffic to continue moving safely.

Drunk Driving

Drivers who are drunk or under the influence of alcohol lack the capacity to drive on highways in Santa Rosa safely. Drunk drivers suffer from reduced reaction times, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating, and are less likely to adapt when road or traffic conditions change. Roughly one out of every 10 highway accidents in Santa Rosa involves a drunk driver.

Road Rage

Too many highway accidents happen because drivers suffer from road rage and engage in aggressive behaviors at the wheel including, but not limited to: tailgating, unsafe passing, illegal turns, brake checks, and refusing to allow vehicles to merge into traffic.

How Can I Get Compensation After a Highway Crash in Santa Rosa?

Insurance will be the primary option for getting compensation after an accident on a Santa Rosa highway. California requires all motorists to purchase minimum amounts of car insurance coverage before driving a vehicle in the state. When you get into an accident on a highway in Santa Rosa because someone else is negligent, you can file a claim to recover benefits from their insurance policy.

Since California has minimum insurance requirements, you should be able to get at least $30,000 in bodily injury benefits and $15,000 in property damage benefits to help cover the costs of your medical bills, wages lost due to temporary disability, replacing or repairing damaged property, and more difficult-to-value pain and suffering.

If the costs of your highway crash exceed the at-fault party’s insurance limits, you can seek additional damages through a civil car accident lawsuit. In fact, you have the right to seek compensation from anyone who contributed to your highway accident - such as a government agency, a vehicle manufacturer, or a negligent party’s employer.

Why Santa Rosa Highway Car Accident Victims Trust Singleton Schreiber

Accidents on Santa Rosa highways can cause serious physical injuries - including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, burns, and amputations - and wrongful death. When you get hurt, you’ll need time to concentrate on your health and well-being.

Crash victims in Santa Rosa turn to Singleton Schreiber for help during these difficult times. Our law firm steps in and handles every aspect of our client’s cases - from a prompt investigation to consultations with experts to aggressive negotiations with the defense. We work hard to secure life-changing financial awards while our clients take the opportunity they need to get better.

Our case results, which include over $3 Billion in damages, are a testament to the representation we provide. Now, we’re ready to help you get the compensation you deserve after an accident on a Santa Rosa highway, too.

You’ll have a limited time to seek damages. California imposes a strict two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims. So, call our Santa Rosa personal injury attorneys to discuss your highway car accident case today. Your first consultation is free.