I-880 isn’t the longest interstate by any means but it can get very busy as it is concentrated in the densely populated San Francisco Bay Area. The busier the highway the quicker drivers have to make decisions about lane changes or merging onto or when on I-880 in the first place.
The traffic mainly keeps up with the speed limit so merging into such fast moving traffic is never a simple matter.
If a wrong judgment is made when to merge into the traffic a serious collision could take place. So severe that life may be lost and life-changing injuries may occur to the driver and any passengers. Fortunately, those injured may file a personal injury claim against the driver who caused the accident.
It’s crucial that if you are eligible to follow this route that you make contact with a personal injury lawyer who knows how to win a favorable personal injury claim on your behalf.
Interstate I-880 in California
Interstate 1-880 covers a length of 46 miles. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area running parallel to San Francisco’s Bay eastern shore. It links San Jose to Oakland. For the majority of its route it’s called the Nimitz Freeway, named after World War II fleet admiral Chester Nimitz.
What to Do If Hit While Merging On I-880
Usually a merging accident on I-880 is caused by the driver making the wrong decision while trying to find a space in the traffic to merge safely. If you have the misfortune to be a victim of an accident caused by a merging driver’s poor decision making, you will need to ensure you have suitable evidence to prove who, or what caused the accident.
Because the State of California has what is named a pure comparative negligence rule, this typically means it’s possible to recover some form of compensation even if there was some proof that indicated that you were partially to blame for the accident.
Often, the final decision as to who or what caused the merging accident is made by the police officer who was sent to attend the accident scene. A report is compiled which basically contains a version of the accident as seen through the eyes of the attending officer.
Your dedicated personal injury attorney can also take part in determining who or what caused the merging accident.
Evidence to Gather If Hit While Merging On I-880
There is always some key evidence required to help support your personal injury claim. This includes:
- witness’s reports
- a physician’s report;
- bills that relate to your injuries;
- photographic evidence taken at the scene;
- medical treatment invoices;
- police officer’s report.
Once this has been gathered together the insurer of the driver found to have caused the accident will negotiate with your attorney who will push for an amount that covers your financial hardship.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
You should make sure you have developed a relationship with a personal injury attorney who can represent your interests while negotiating a fair personal injury claim for you on your behalf.
