Big Bear Lake Car Accident Lawyers
Big Bear Lake Personal Injury Attorneys
Although the City of Big Bear Lake is home to only about 5,000 residents, the Southern California resort destination frequently has more than 100,000 campers and visitors on any given weekend. A popular recreational weekend getaway for residents of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, Big Bear Lake is a popular getaway year-around, and one of the few Southern California cities that receives significant winter snow. As a result of thousands of unfamiliar drivers travelling through curvy mountain roads in sometimes unfavorable weather conditions, car accidents in the Big Bear Lake area are not uncommon.
Highway 330 Road Collapse
In late December 2010, part of Highway 330 collapsed in San Bernardino County at the 35-mile marker, about six miles north of Highland Avenue. As a result of the Highway 330 collapse, about 10,000 daily commuters going to and from the Big Bear Lake area were forced to find alternate routes, either Highway 38 via Redlands, Highway 18 via San Bernardino or Highway 18 from Victorville and Lucerne Valley. Although nobody was injured in the Highway 330 collapse, the road closure resulted in a much higher volume of traffic on other main arteries, and an increasing number of collisions on those alternate routes. Just shy of six months after the closure, Caltrans reopened Highway 330 on June 17, 2011.
Dangerous Driving Conditions
Many accidents in the San Bernardino Mountains in the winter months are caused in part by icy conditions. Motorists travelling through the San Bernardino Mountains to Big Bear Lake should always slow down and drive with caution, keeping in mind weather conditions, temperature, and possible icy conditions. A January 2011 article in the Orange County Register titled “Beware of dangerous highways to Big Bear” warned motorists of the frequently icy stretch of Highway 38 through Angelus Oaks, and advised motorists to pay attention to shady areas of the roadway. Two people were killed and two others were injured in a crash on Highway 38 near the South Fork Santa Ana River Bridge, when a car lost traction coming through a curve and struck a tree. Other Big Bear Lake car accidents are caused by negligent driving behaviours including unsafe passing, speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, texting and driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Big Bear Lake car accidents have the potential to result in serious or catastrophic injury. Collisions with other vehicles, trees, and motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians may cause major injuries that may result in lengthy hospitalization, numerous surgery, and permanent disfigurement and/or disability. The Big Bear Lake car accident lawyers at Estey Bomberger have handled personal injury claims involving all types of serious injuries, including:
- Amputation injuries
- Blunt trauma injuries
- Bone fractures
- Burn injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Facial fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death.
Protect Your Rights Following An Accident
If you have been injured in a Big Bear Lake car accident caused by another motorist’s negligent actions, or a dangerous road condition, you may be entitled to financial compensation in a personal injury claim. Contact the San Bernardino personal injury attorneys at Estey Bomberger for a free consultation. One of our experienced lawyers will evaluate your potential case, and advise you of your rights to recover compensation for lost earnings, pain and suffering, and medical expenses, or the wrongful death of a family member. Our Big Bear Lake accident lawyers are available 24/7 to take your call and discuss your potential case. Contact us at (800)890-6722 or fill out our case evaluation request form.