Santa Barbara County, CA – A woman was hospitalized following a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 101 at the Gaviota Coast on Sunday night, October 20, 2024, according to KEYT.
The collision, which involved five vehicles, occurred south of Mariposa Reina around 9:00 PM. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, and a woman with moderate injuries was transported by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment.
The accident caused significant traffic delays as both the northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 101 were temporarily closed.
Crews from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the California Highway Patrol are investigating the cause of the crash. Further details have not yet been released.
Personal Injury Claims
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and in California, several parties can share partial liability. A personal injury attorney plays a crucial role in helping victims establish legal responsibility after a traffic accident.
If it is found that another party contributed to the injuries, victims may be eligible to file a personal injury claim with the responsible party’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover damages such as hospital bills and lost income during recovery.
Partial Liability in Pedestrian Accidents
California Law does not consider pedestrians to have the right-of-way under all circumstances, such as if they attempt to cross outside of a crosswalk. However, motorists are never relieved of the expectation to provide pedestrians with a Duty of Care toward their safety.
It may therefore be determined that a motorist is held only partially liable in a pedestrian accident. If that is the case, they would be financially responsible for the victim’s recovery costs in proportion to their degree of liability.