Interstate Route 73 Freeway Accidents
State Route 73 is a short and busy freeway that runs through Orange County. It is a partial toll road that runs parallel to the Pacific Coast Highway and the San Diego Freeway. SR-73 is commonly referred to as the Corona del Mar Freeway in its northern most three miles and as the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor in the southern 15- mile stretch.
As part of the California Freeway and Expressway System, State Route 73 begins in San Juan Capistrano at an interchange with the congested and dangerous I-5. It travels northwest towards Laguna Niguel where it becomes a toll road. SR-73 continues all the way through Laguna Beach and the border of Irvine and Newport Beach up to Costa Mesa before it merges with Interstate 405. Interstate Route 73 was designed to reduce congestion on the Pacific Coast Highway. Over the years, it has become a busy roadway in its own right. According to CaliforniaHighways.org, between 34,000 and 100,000 motorists travel on SR-73 every day.
A Dangerous Roadway
There are a number of reasons why California Route 73 is ranked among the most dangerous roadways in Orange County. Much of SR-73 follows the contours of the San Joaquin Hills. This means much of the fast-moving highway is windy. The posted speed limit on this fast moving highway is 65 mph. Unfortunately, many motorists use toll roads to see how fast they can travel and to make good time without realizing how dangerous speeding on a winding highway can be.
There are a number of reasons why State Route 73 is the site of many southern California car accidents. Some of the most common factors of injury accidents along SR-73 include:
- Speed: Under California law, motorists are speeding not only when they exceed the speed limit, but also when they travel faster than is reasonably safe for the roadway conditions. Motorists entering one of the many tight turns on SR-73 are considered speeding if they are traveling too fast to safely manage the curve. Drivers on this stretch of highway must also adjust their speed when the roadway is wet as a result of rain. Windy conditions in the San Joaquin Hills may require drivers to adjust their speed as well.
- Toll roads: These may also pose a number of problems for motorists. Drivers who are not familiar with traveling on Interstate Route 73 may not realize that there are a number of sections where they must pay toll. It is common for the flow of traffic to slow from 65 mph to zero as people pass through the tollbooths. Drivers who are distracted, speeding, fatigued or tailgating may fail to adjust their speed accordingly, which may result in devastating rear-end collisions.
- Distracted driving: This is another serious issue on this winding roadway. Motorists who take their eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel can easily leave their lane of traffic. Unsafe lane changes and drifting vehicles can result in serious and fatal injuries when the vehicles are traveling at highway speeds.
Injuries and Damages
If you or a family member is involved in a California car accident on Interstate Route 73, it can result in serious and even life-altering injuries. Victims in these types of collisions may suffer from head injuries resulting in serious and long-term disabilities or spinal cord injuries resulting in partial or total paralysis. Victims of highway accidents often suffer compound fractures, broken bone injuries, lacerations and even burns.
The experienced Orange County car accident attorneys at our firm can help victims of injury accidents seek financial compensation for their losses. At-fault drivers can be held accountable for pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, loss of companionship, lost wages, medical bills and other related damages. If you or a loved one has been injured in a 73 Freeway crash, splease contact us for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.
