Deciding who is at fault in a traffic accident can be complex. Sometimes a driver is at fault, but sometimes the road itself is to blame. Dangerous intersections, where stop signs or traffic signals are not properly installed, can create accidents. Trees and shrubs that hide posted signs or oncoming traffic can reduce a driver's visibility. Poorly maintained streets and potholes also create hazardous conditions. Unsafe roadways, freeways, highways and streets create dangers for vehicles, passengers, bicyclists, skaters, and pedestrians. State laws typically require safe roadways. Lawsuits against cities, counties, and the state are governed by special laws and require a special area of law expertise.
UNSAFE ROADS = SERIOUS INJURIES
Federal and state governments set design and maintenance safety standards so that freeways, highways, roads, and streets are safe for vehicle traffic. When these standards are not met, accidents can result. Some common roadway defects include:
- steep pavement edge drop-off
- traffic control devices (such as traffic lights) that do not function properly
- uneven roadway surface and potholes
- improper guardrails or embankments
- inadequate recovery zones or shoulder lanes
- improper striping
- signs or signals that are not clearly visible or are missing
- ineffective drainage
- improper curve or embankment
- Improper grading
- inadequate sight distance
- improper installation of median barriers
- inadequate or missing crosswalk
Poorly Maintained Roads
“The U.S. Department of Transportation this week gave out $5 billion in grants designed to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians, targeting some of the deadliest roadways across California. Five cities in Orange County have received millions of dollars in grants to develop action plans for roadway improvements, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week.
Deadliest Roadways Finally Targeted For Repairs
"Every year, crashes cost tens of thousands of American lives and hundreds of billions of dollars to our economy; we face a national emergency on our roadways, and it demands urgent action," U.S. Transportation Secretary said in a statement. The transportation department launched an interactive map showing crash hotspots, and both Southern California and the Bay Area have roads with high traffic death rates. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $2.5 billion in funding for 16 mass transit projects across the Golden State. Newsom called it the first wave of a historic infusion of state funding to expand transit and passenger rail service throughout the state. “The projects funded represent critical transportation and will provide alternatives to driving with access to a modernized, public transit system,” said Governor Newsom. “California is unwavering in our commitment to our world-leading climate agenda, including record levels of investments in public transportation projects to electrify fleets, expand and improve service, and spark ridership growth.” The funding is part of a larger, multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment to upgrade the state's transit system to enhance mobility options, improve service and reduce overdependence on driving, according to a statement released by Newsom.”
Source: The Patch, Miranda Ceja 2023
Dangerous Highways
On average, California's drive 14,500 miles annually. With Californians traveling over 353 billion miles every year, accidents are an unfortunate fact of life in this state. California traffic accidents can leave victims severely injured and tragically result in fatalities far too often. While a vehicle accident can happen on any type of roadway, there are certain conditions and situations that make some roadways more dangerous than others. For example, low visibility, narrow lanes, dense traffic, poor navigability, speed limit, and many other factors can affect the danger level of a particular highway road. In 2018, approximately 3,563 people died in traffic accidents in California. California was the state with the second-highest number of traffic deaths in the United States. 10 of the 15 deadliest stretches are located in Southern California, and 5 are located in Northern California. These stretches average 1.48 fatal collisions per mile, compared to 0.15 for the entire highway network. Los Angeles County has by far the most dangerous segments, with 16 targeted highways.
- Interstate 5 (I-5): This major north-south highway stretches across California and sees heavy traffic, particularly around major cities like Los Angeles and Sacramento. The "Grapevine" section near Tejon Pass is particularly hazardous due to steep grades, curves, and extreme weather.
- Interstate 15 (I-15): Connecting Southern California with Las Vegas, this highway is notorious for fatal accidents, particularly the stretch through San Bernardino County. Speeding and impaired driving are major factors contributing to accidents on this route.
- Interstate 10 (I-10): Running from Santa Monica to the Arizona border, I-10 experiences heavy traffic and congestion, especially in the Los Angeles area. Congestion and high speeds are major contributors to accidents on this route.
- U.S. Route 101 (US-101): This scenic highway runs along the coast but can be dangerous due to sharp curves, steep grades, and heavy fog. The sections near Ventura and San Francisco are particularly hazardous.
- California State Route 99 (SR-99): This highway, running through the Central Valley, has one of the highest fatality rates in the state due to outdated infrastructure, heavy traffic, and high speeds
- I-15 between Exit 138 and Exit 129 (Hesperia): Ranked as the deadliest stretch in California, this 4.5-mile segment has a high number of fatal accidents per mile.
- I-80 between Exit 14A and Exit 8A (Berkeley | Oakland | Emeryville | Albany): This 5-mile section has also seen a high concentration of fatal accidents.
- EL CAMINO REAL, connecting San Francisco to San Jose, has been called the deadliest road in the Bay Area region.
El Camino Real - SR 82
El Camino Real (State Route 82 (SR 82) is a state highway in the US state of California that runs from Interstate 880 (I-880) in San Jose to I-280 in San Francisco) is a critical California artery that connects San Francisco to San Jose in the Bay Area, was reported as the deadliest road in the region with 129 fatalities. According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analyzed by Bay Area News Group, the portion of El Camino Real in San Mateo County was the deadliest road in the region with 71 traffic fatalities between 2002 and 2022. And during the same period, the portion in neighboring Santa Clara County had 58 fatalities, making it the third deadliest.
As reported in https://www.thesantaclara.org/blog/family-of-santa-clara-university-student-killed-in-traffic-accident-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit, our law office filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of a Santa Clara University student following a tragic accident on El Camino Real - SR 82, "alleging that dangerous roadway conditions and negligent construction activities contributed to the tragedy.“ https://www.thesantaclara.org/blog/family-of-santa-clara-university-student-killed-in-traffic-accident-files-wrongful-death-lawsuit https://www.svvoice.com/scu-students-family-sues-city-county-and-caltrans-for-wrongful-death/
"The lawsuit is the latest step in the family's continued effort to hold multiple parties accountable for what they describe as a “tragic—but entirely predictable—accident." The Santa Clara, July 3, 2025. If you have relevant information or questions, contact for attorney Dana Taschner is [email protected] .
Interstate 5
Among Deadliest California Roads
Heavy traffic and multiple deaths
The Interstate-5 (I-5) runs longitudinally through California from its origin in San Diego to its terminus in Canada, and is among the most hazardous stretch of highway in California, with 768 fatalities between 2010 and 2016. This number increased from 2015 to 2018 with a total of 800 deaths. This equates to about 1.2 auto accidents for every mile of highway. The I-5 runs nearly 800 miles long up the length of California, but the deadliest spot for motorists is in San Diego County. In this sector, 110 people were killed in 99 fatal accidents. Beyond San Diego County, at least 50 people were killed in fatal automobile crashes in Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, San Joaquin and Sacramento County's portions of I-5. This highway has extremely heavy traffic and is regarded as one of the least picturesque, which may explain why drivers generally zone out and fail to be aware of their surroundings. The stretch near Tejon Pass is known for steep grades, sharp curves, and hazardous weather.
State Route 99
Several routes in the United States have been called "Highway to Hell," but Highway 99 has been declared the most hazardous road in the entire country. Nicknamed the Golden State Highway in one part, it was renamed State Route 99 and runs through Sacramento. Highway 99 got the nickname from the number of accidents per 100 miles driven. Over a five-year period, there were 62 deaths for every 100 miles along this 400-mile-long highway. Some of the causes cited for the high number of accidents and deaths include the road's design and poor lighting, as well as the number of intoxicated drivers, distracted motorists, and speeders that use it. State Route 99 is narrow and ageing, making it less safe for motorists than more modern roadways. Highway 99 is especially dangerous after dark, with 40 percent of the accidents occurring during the nighttime hours due to the poor lighting.
According to some reports, the most deadly highway in the entire country is the SR-99, a 400-mile mostly rural highway that runs through the centers of Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto and other valley cities. The SR-99 had a total of 264 fatal accidents between the years 2011 and 2015 which equates to 62 fatal accidents per every 100 miles.
State Route 138
State Route 138 has been dubbed the "highway of death," "blood alley," and "death route." State Route 138 crosses east to west with many mountainous sections in its eastern leg. It is a scenic highway as it follows the San Gabriel Mountains and the Mojave Desert. In the San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, Route 138 is notorious for its steep, hilly scenery, abrupt S-turns, and startling drop-offs. Popular Mechanics named SR-138 one of America's 10 Most Dangerous Roads.
State Route 138 is a particularly dangerous California road due to its design. California SR 138 in Southern California stretches from Interstate 15 to Palmdale. The tight two-lane road is especially treacherous due to poorly lit areas and its twisting, mountainous sections.
State Route 49
California's State Route 49 is among the deadliest roads in the United States by the number of people killed per accident. For every 100 fatal crashes, 146.4 deaths occur.
State Route 17
SR17 has become known as "Killer 17" or "Blood Alley with a road that has tight curves and narrow lanes.
U.S. Route 199
Another dangerous highway in California is U.S. Route 199, with narrow and twisting lanes. It is reported that one death occurs approximately every 2 miles throughout the 80-mile highway. Many drivers using US Route 199 report swerving off the road and experiencing car accident events that can easily result in significant injuries or even fatalities.
Interstate 15
The I-15, which connects Los Angeles and Las Vegas, is considered the "Gateway to Sin City." The driving distance has minimal topography or diversions and is widely known for drivers exceeding the speed restrictions. Excessive speeding on I-15 often leads to fatal car accidents, whether due to impairment or distraction. According to a government study, drivers who were not wearing seatbelts were responsible for 50% of the fatalities on I-15. Recently, more safety measures have been implemented, including road repairs and upgrades. However, a 15-year study recently released indicated that 1069 fatalities from 834 car accidents took place on Interstate 15.
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is a major highway that connects San Francisco to the East Coast in New Jersey. With a length of 2,899 miles, it is the country's second-longest highway. It was constructed in the Sacramento Valley to replace US Route 40. I-80's initial route, which led to downtown Sacramento, was known as the Capital City Freeway. Although the scenery along I-80 is breathtaking, winter weather conditions may make it dangerous for drivers. This route may be particularly dangerous in the Sierras due to slippery, wet surfaces, poor visibility, and blizzard conditions. A 5-mile section through Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, and Albany had 15 fatal crashes. The 5-mile stretch of road near Richmond/San Pablo has observed 13 fatal crashes
Interstate 505
The Interstate 505 is a high-speed road with a speed limit of 70 mph. However, because police presence is minimal, drivers frequently exceed that limit, increasing the risk of an accident. Big rigs and other large vehicles use it as a truck route, which removes the need for drivers to enter Sacramento in order to access I-80. The I-505 goes from north to south at Vacaville up to near Dunnigan where it reaches I-5. Interstate 505 is mostly a two-lane highway, with some sections built with concrete and some with asphalt. On this perilous and lonely country road, heavy traffic from huge trucks might increase your chances of an accident.
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I-805(San Diego): Ranked as the state's most dangerous road in 2023–2025 based on fatality density (0.45 deaths per mile), primarily due to intense urban congestion and multi-vehicle crashes.
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Sierra Highway(Canyon Country): The 3.5-mile segment in Santa Clarita, which has recorded the highest rate of fatal accidents in Los Angeles County.
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I-15(Cajon Pass/Hesperia): The stretch between Exit 138 and Exit 129 is notoriously lethal due to steep grades, high speeds, and heavy traffic traveling to and from Las Vegas, Nevada.
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State Route 91(Riverside/Orange County): A 58-mile stretch that combines urban accidents, high-speed incidents, alcohol-related crashes, and a dramatic increase in accidents involving large trucks.
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I-880(East Bay): Known as the Nimitz Freeway, this road suffers from a high density of fatalities (0.3 per mile) due to industrial traffic, short merging ramps, and heavy congestion.
- Interstate 5 (I-5): Frequently cited as California's deadliest overall highway, recording over 100 fatalities annually. Roadway hazards range from urban gridlock in LA to driver fatigue on the long, monotonous stretches of the Central Valley.
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State Route 99(Central Valley): Historically ranked among the deadliest in the U.S., it is plagued by aging infrastructure, heavy freight traffic, and dense "tule fog" that causes massive pile-ups.Interstate 10(I-10): A major east-west corridor where high-speed desert run-offs in the east contrast with frequent multi-car accidents in urban Los Angeles.
- State Route 17 (Santa Cruz Mountains): Infamous for blind curves, narrow shoulders, and frequent wildlife crossings.
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State Route 74(Ortega Highway/Hemet): A 3.7-mile stretch through Hemet is high-risk, while the "Ortega" mountain segment is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists due to sharp turns.
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Santiago Canyon Road(Orange County): Locally known as the "Road of Death" due to its dangerous intersections and high-speed traffic.
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U.S. Route 50(Sierra Nevada): A high-risk corridor for weather-related fatalities, particularly during winter storms near Echo Summit.
“One-third of the nation's major urban roadways – highways and major streets that are the main routes for commuters and commerce – are in poor condition. These critical links in the nation's transportation system carry 70 percent of the approximately 3.2 trillion miles driven annually in America. Road conditions could deteriorate even further as the rate of vehicle travel continues to increase and local and state governments find they are unable to adequately fund road repairs.”
Recent reports have found that the top three cities with the poorest roadways in the United States were all in California. The number one urban metropolitan area with the worst roads was San Francisco--Oakland, CA with a whopping 70% of its roads rated in poor condition. The second ranked area was San Jose with 64% of its roads rated in poor condition. The third worst area was Los Angeles--Long Beach—Anaheim region with 57% of its roads rated as poor.
Poorly maintained roads not only cost drivers in terms of vehicle damage, repair costs, and lost time, but also present serious safety hazards. Los Angeles is particularly notorious for its potholes. The Los Angeles City Council agreed to pay $6.1 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a motorcyclist who suffered a severe brain injury when he crashed after hitting several potholes. In a separate incident, Los Angelespaid $6.5 million to settle a lawsuit from a bicyclist who hit a pothole and suffered broken bones and a severe traumatic brain injury.
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