An eight-vehicle pile-up in icy conditions in Santa Barbara County sent three people to the hospital this weekend. KSBY-TV confirmed the accident occurred Sunday morning along Highway 154 on Cold Spring Bridge, northwest of Santa Barbara, on February 26, 2023.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to the scene sometime after 7:30 a.m. They reported that the collisions were caused by three different accidents involving icy patches on the bridge. Up to eight vehicles were part of the accident, including a semi-truck.
Fire crews had to free some of the victims from their vehicles. An elderly man with moderate injuries and two pregnant women were taken to a nearby hospital.
The California Highway Patrol continues to examine the factors that led to the crash.
Santa Barbara County Icy Road Car Accident Dangers
Accident victims suffering from injuries can sometimes be convinced by car insurance providers that mother nature is to blame for an accident involving ice or snow. But that’s not always the case. Careless drivers can still be blamed for accidents in bad weather and those hurt can seek recovery support from them.
All drivers are legally responsible for traveling at speeds “safe for conditions.” That won’t always be the posted speed limit. Cars driving in freezing conditions, especially on bridges that ice over before other road surfaces, must slow down. They must reduce their speeds as much as needed to make sure they don’t lose control on a slippery surface and hit another car. If they fail to do this and cause an accident, they are liable for the damage and pain they cause.
California Transportation Officials tracked 1,826 accidents involving injuries on Santa Barbara County roads in 2021. At least 233 of those accidents occurred in inclement weather including icy, snowy, foggy, and windy conditions.
Icy roads often cause chain-reaction accidents and in these multi-car pileups, there are often multiple drivers who are found at fault for the collisions. Every driver to blame can face liability in such an accident.
A word for victims and their families after a Santa Barbara County car accident…
If you or a loved one has been victimized in a collision in Santa Barbara County, you should be aware of the benefits available to you and your family through an insurance claim. Financial support should be expected to assist surviving victims with hospital bills at the very least.
You can read more about earning insurance support after a car accident on my page about car accident claims in Santa Barbara County.