Many people have been seriously injured or lost their lives while driving on the some of the most dangerous roads and highways in California which happen to be in Palmdale and the Antelope Valley. Grim headlines read, “Bicyclist Killed in Collision with SUV,” “Lancaster Woman Killed in Rollover Crash,” and “Palmdale Man Dies in Fiery Crash.” The fact is, Palmdale and the State of California have some of the deadliest roadways in the entire nation. Getting on some roads presents real risk and you should know which are the most dangerous.
The Most Dangerous Roads and Highways in Palmdale
In the latest statistics available, there were 14 fatal accidents in the city of Palmdale, including a total of 23 vehicles involved. Of all the fatal car accidents, 4 crashes involved a drunk driver and 3 involved pedestrians. All told, 31 people were involved in these tragic fatal accidents, some of which were injured and others died. In the City of Palmdale alone, there are several notoriously dangerous roads. These are where the most serious injuries and fatalities occur in northern Los Angeles County. What’s worse is that when it’s raining, these already dangerous roads can quickly become deadly.
If it’s raining outside, Los Angeles drivers know to leave earlier for work and to expect to see some appalling driving on the road. Is it really any worse than usual though? Yes! Data from 11 years of reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, plus numbers on car crashes from California’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System suggest that more accidents do happen when it’s rainy (duh). Dry weather crashes usually top out around 10 per hour, even during rush hour. But rainy weather crashes far surpass those numbers, coming close to 15 crashes in the three o’clock hour. —Curbed Los Angeles
Californian drivers should know which roadways pose the most danger. For instance, locals refer to Highway 138 as the “highway of death.” Also known as “death road,” Highway 138 winds from Interstate 15 into the town of Palmdale. It’s so well-known that Popular Mechanics listed it in an article titled, “10 of America’s Most Dangerous Roads.” Back in 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported in a five-year period prior to the new millennium, a total of 875 injuries and 56 fatalities occurred. It’s so deadly, Highway 138 consistently averaged 10 fatal car crashes every year. However, while still dangerous, construction updates were made in 2006, reducing the number of deaths. The changes gave the highway wider lanes and provides drivers with better lines of sight. But Highway 138 isn’t the only dangerous road in Palmdale; there are others. Each has at least claimed one life but all have resulted in minor or serious injuries:
- 10th Street West Palmdale
- Sierra Highway
- Avenue R
- Tierra Subida Avenue
- Avenue S
- Avenue T
There have been twenty-five vehicles involved on these roads, involving a total of thirty-one people. Clearly, these roadways are dangerous and drivers should take full caution before getting behind the wheel.
What to Do if You’re Involved in a Car Crash
If you are involved in an auto accident, it’s important to know what you should do after you check to see if everyone is okay. If there are any injuries, even minor ones, call 9-1-1 right away. Some minor looking injuries can conceal more serious conditions. Try to stay calm and do the following:
- Move to a safe place. If possible, walk to a safe place, along with your passengers, off the road. Do not attempt to push your vehicle off the roadway and do not move it even if it runs and/or the damage is minor.
- Call the police or sheriff’s department. Be sure to call the local police or sheriff’s department if you have not called 9-1-1. You need an official report of the accident, regardless if there are no apparent injuries and/or little damage to your vehicle.
- Exchange information with the other driver. Speak briefly with the other driver, but do not admit any fault, just ask for their name, insurance information, and also take note of the vehicle’s license plate.
- Thoroughly document the scene. Take plenty of pictures of the accident scene, along with detailed notes, as soon as possible. In such a situation, you are likely to be shaken and it will be difficult to recall details later on.
If you don’t need ambulance transport from the accident scene to a hospital, you should definitely seek medical attention to make sure you are okay. Afterwards, you should consult an experienced car accident personal injury lawyer to be advised about your legal rights and to learn if you might be entitled to compensation.
