A serious three-vehicle crash on northbound State Route 25 near Hollister disrupted the Wednesday morning commute and left multiple people injured. The collision, which occurred just south of Shore Road in San Benito County, involved a gray Saturn, a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, and another sedan. The impact of the collision forced emergency responders to temporarily close lanes on the highway, creating significant traffic backups as commuters were diverted around the accident scene.
First responders worked quickly to assess injuries and provide medical assistance to those involved, while California Highway Patrol officers began investigating the cause of the crash. The collision serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that exist on rural two-lane highways during busy commute hours, when traffic volumes increase and drivers may be rushing to reach their destinations.
Details of the Three-Vehicle Crash
According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred on October 29th at approximately 7:28 a.m. on northbound State Route 25, also known as Bolsa Road, in the area just south of Shore Road. The crash involved three vehicles traveling in the northbound direction during the busy morning commute hours.
The vehicles involved in the collision included a gray Saturn sedan, a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, and a third sedan. The exact sequence of events leading to the multi-vehicle crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after receiving reports of the collision. The crash resulted in lane closures and significant traffic delays for northbound travelers on State Route 25 during the morning rush hour.
Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Crashes on Rural Highways
Multi-vehicle accidents on rural highways, such as State Route 25, often result from a combination of factors that can quickly escalate a simple mistake into a serious crash. Understanding these common causes can help drivers remain vigilant and prevent similar incidents.
Distracted Driving: One of the leading causes of chain-reaction collisions is driver inattention. When motorists take their eyes off the road to check their phones, adjust navigation systems, or attend to other distractions, they may fail to notice slowing or stopped traffic ahead. Even a few seconds of distraction at highway speeds can result in a devastating rear-end collision that triggers a multi-vehicle pileup.
Following Too Closely: Tailgating remains a persistent problem on California highways. When drivers fail to maintain a safe following distance, they eliminate their safety cushion. If the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, there’s not enough time or space to stop, resulting in a rear-end collision that can push vehicles into adjacent lanes or into other cars.
Speed and Road Conditions: State Route 25 is a two-lane rural highway where speed limits can reach 55 mph or higher. At these speeds, drivers have less time to react to hazards. Morning conditions such as fog, dew on the roadway, or sun glare can further reduce visibility and traction, making it difficult for drivers to stop safely when unexpected situations arise.
Unsafe Lane Changes: On two-lane highways with limited passing opportunities, some drivers may attempt risky passing maneuvers or lane changes without properly checking blind spots or signaling. These sudden movements can catch other drivers off guard and trigger multi-vehicle accidents.
Mechanical Failures: Brake failures, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, potentially leading to a collision with multiple other cars before coming to a rest.
The Dangerous Intersection of Shore Road and State Route 25
The area where this collision occurred, just south of Shore Road on State Route 25 near Hollister, presents particular challenges for drivers. This section of highway serves as a critical north-south corridor through San Benito County, connecting Hollister with southern communities and agricultural areas.
State Route 25 in this area is characterized by long stretches of two-lane highway with limited shoulders and few passing zones. During morning commute hours, the road experiences increased traffic volumes as workers travel between residential areas and employment centers. The intersection with Shore Road adds another layer of complexity, as drivers may slow to turn or merge into through traffic.
Rural highways like this stretch of State Route 25 often lack the safety features found on urban freeways, such as broad shoulders, median barriers, or multiple lanes that provide escape routes in emergencies. When a collision occurs, other drivers have fewer options to avoid becoming involved in the crash.
Investigation and Determining Liability in Multi-Vehicle Crashes
California Highway Patrol officers are conducting a thorough investigation into this three-vehicle collision to determine the cause and establish fault. Multi-vehicle accidents present unique challenges in determining liability, as the sequence of events and contribution of each driver must be carefully reconstructed.
Investigators will examine several types of evidence, including:
Physical Evidence at the Scene: The position of the vehicles, skid marks, debris fields, and road surface conditions all provide clues about how the collision unfolded. Investigators will document the point of impact for each vehicle and the direction of travel.
Vehicle Damage Assessment: The type and severity of damage to each vehicle help investigators understand the force and angle of impacts. In multi-vehicle collisions, investigators seek the “primary impact” that initiated the chain of events and any subsequent secondary impacts.
Witness Statements: Testimony from drivers, passengers, and independent witnesses can provide crucial information about driving behavior leading up to the crash, including speed, following distance, lane position, and any sudden maneuvers.
Traffic Camera and Video Evidence: If available, surveillance cameras from nearby businesses or traffic monitoring systems can provide objective evidence of the collision sequence.
Electronic Data: Modern vehicles are equipped with event data recorders (similar to “black boxes” in aircraft) that capture information about vehicle speed, brake application, steering input, and other data in the seconds leading up to a crash.
In California, multiple parties can be held liable for a multi-vehicle accident. The state follows a “pure comparative negligence” system, meaning that liability can be apportioned among various parties based on their degree of fault. For example, if one driver initiated the collision through distracted driving, but a second driver was following too closely and was unable to stop in time, both may share liability.
Injuries Common in Three-Vehicle Highway Crashes
Multi-vehicle collisions at highway speeds often result in serious injuries due to the force of multiple impacts and the different directions from which those impacts occur. Victims of this type of crash may suffer from:
Whiplash and Neck Injuries: The sudden acceleration and deceleration forces in a multi-vehicle collision can cause severe soft tissue injuries to the neck and upper back. These injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately, but can result in chronic pain and limited mobility.
Back and Spinal Injuries: The violent forces in a highway-speed collision can damage vertebrae, discs, and the spinal cord itself. Severe spinal injuries may result in temporary or permanent paralysis, chronic pain, and loss of mobility.
Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries: When vehicles collide at highway speeds, occupants may strike their heads on interior surfaces even when wearing seatbelts. Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe brain damage that affects cognitive function, personality, and quality of life.
Chest and Abdominal Injuries: Seatbelts and airbags, while lifesaving devices, can also cause injuries to the chest, ribs, and internal organs during high-force collisions. Fractured ribs, lung contusions, and injuries to internal organs such as the spleen or liver may occur.
Broken Bones and Fractures: The impact forces in multi-vehicle collisions can cause fractures to arms, legs, wrists, ankles, and other bones. Compound fractures may require surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation.
Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims of serious accidents often experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and fear of driving. These psychological injuries can be just as debilitating as physical injuries and require professional treatment.
When someone is injured in a multi-vehicle collision like this one on State Route 25, the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Victims face not only painful injuries and lengthy recoveries but also the complex challenge of navigating insurance claims involving multiple parties. GJEL has represented countless accident victims throughout California, and we understand how to build strong cases that hold all responsible parties accountable.
Your Rights After Being Injured in a Three-Vehicle Crash
If you were injured in this State Route 25 collision or any other multi-vehicle accident in California, you have necessary legal rights that deserve protection. Understanding these rights is the first step toward obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Right to Medical Treatment: You have the right to receive prompt and appropriate medical care for your injuries. Never delay seeking medical attention after an accident, even if your injuries seem minor initially. Some serious injuries don’t show symptoms until hours or days after a collision.
Right to File an Insurance Claim: California law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance. You have the right to file a claim against the insurance policy of any at-fault driver involved in the collision. In multi-vehicle accidents, you may have claims against multiple insurance policies.
Right to Legal Representation: You have the right to hire an attorney to represent your interests. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay out in claims. Having an experienced personal injury attorney levels the playing field and ensures your rights are protected.
Right to Fair Compensation: California law allows accident victims to recover damages for both economic losses (such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage) and non-economic losses (such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life).
Protection from Insurance Company Tactics: You have the right to refuse to provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters and to have an attorney review any settlement offers before accepting them. Insurance companies often attempt to settle claims quickly for far less than they’re worth.
What Your Personal Injury Claim May Include
A comprehensive personal injury claim following a multi-vehicle collision should account for all of the ways the accident has impacted your life. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we ensure our clients’ claims are addressed:
Medical Expenses: This includes all costs related to your treatment, from emergency room care and hospitalization to surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medical equipment. Your claim should also account for future medical expenses if your injuries require ongoing treatment.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevented you from working, you’re entitled to compensation for lost wages. In cases of severe or permanent injuries that affect your ability to work in the future, you may also recover damages for diminished earning capacity.
Property Damage: Your claim should include the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the collision.
Pain and Suffering: California law recognizes that accident injuries entail more than just financial losses. Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life are real damages that deserve compensation.
Loss of Consortium: When serious injuries affect your relationships with your spouse or family members, they may also have claims for loss of companionship and support.
In multi-vehicle accidents where multiple parties share fault, calculating fair compensation becomes more complex. An experienced attorney can identify all potentially liable parties and their insurance coverage, ensuring you pursue the maximum compensation available.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
Time is a critical factor in any personal injury case. California law imposes strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, on when you can file a lawsuit. For most personal injury claims arising from auto accidents, you have two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit in civil court.
While two years may seem like ample time, it’s essential to consult with an attorney much sooner. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies may push for quick settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Starting the claims process promptly gives your attorney time to thoroughly investigate the accident, document your injuries, and build the strongest possible case.
There are limited exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations. Suppose the accident involved a government vehicle or occurred on government property. In that case, you may need to file a claim with the appropriate government agency within just six months of the accident. Additionally, if you don’t discover your injuries until after the accident (which sometimes happens with internal injuries), the statute of limitations may be extended under California’s “discovery rule.”
Why You Need an Experienced Multi-Vehicle Accident Attorney
Multi-vehicle collisions present unique legal challenges that require experienced representation. Unlike two-vehicle accidents, where fault is often more straightforward, three-vehicle and larger collisions involve multiple insurance companies, potentially conflicting accounts of what happened, and complex questions about who caused the initial crash and who failed to avoid subsequent impacts.
An experienced personal injury attorney provides several critical services:
Thorough Investigation: Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into the collision, gathering police reports, witness statements, photographs, video evidence, and expert opinions to establish what happened and determine who was at fault.
Dealing with Multiple Insurance Companies: With three or more vehicles involved, you may be dealing with multiple insurance companies, each trying to minimize their client’s liability and their payout. Your attorney handles all communications with insurance adjusters, protecting you from tactics designed to devalue or deny your claim.
Calculating Full Damages: Many accident victims accept settlement offers without realizing they haven’t accounted for future medical expenses, long-term disability, or the full extent of their non-economic damages. Your attorney ensures your claim reflects the actual cost of your injuries.
Negotiating Favorable Settlements: Insurance companies are aware of which attorneys are willing to take cases to trial and which will settle quickly for less than the full value. Experienced trial attorneys, such as those at GJEL Accident Attorneys, have a reputation for thorough preparation and courtroom success, which often motivates insurance companies to make fair settlement offers.
Trial Representation if Necessary: Although many personal injury claims are settled out of court, some require litigation. When insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation, having an attorney prepared to take your case to trial is essential.
GJEL Accident Attorneys: Trusted Advocates for California Accident Victims
For over 40 years, GJEL Accident Attorneys has represented injured Californians in personal injury cases throughout the state. Our firm has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for our clients, with a 99% success rate in the cases we handle.
We understand that every accident is unique, and we take the time to understand how your injuries have affected your life. Our attorneys personally handle each case, providing the attention and expertise your case deserves. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
If you were injured in the State Route 25 collision near Hollister or any other multi-vehicle accident in California, we’re here to help. Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and your legal options.
Understanding Catastrophic Injury Settlement Calculators
A catastrophic injury settlement calculator is a valuable tool that helps accident victims and their attorneys estimate the potential value of a personal injury claim involving severe, life-altering injuries. These calculators take into account multiple factors that contribute to the total damages in a catastrophic injury case, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, cost of long-term care and rehabilitation, necessary home modifications and medical equipment, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
By inputting specific information about the injury, treatment costs, income loss, and the degree of permanent impairment, the calculator provides an estimated settlement range based on similar cases and established legal principles. However, it’s essential to understand that while these calculators offer helpful guidance, they cannot replace the personalized evaluation provided by an experienced personal injury attorney.
Catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, or amputations involve complex damages that extend far into the future, and accurately calculating these requires detailed analysis of medical reports, expert testimony regarding future care needs, and an understanding of how California law values non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we use comprehensive evaluation methods that go beyond basic calculators to ensure our clients pursue the full compensation they deserve—accounting not just for obvious costs but also for the subtle ways a catastrophic injury changes every aspect of a person’s life. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Take Action to Protect Your Rights
“Being involved in a multi-vehicle collision like this one on State Route 25 can be overwhelming and frightening, especially when you’re dealing with injuries and uncertainty about what comes next. Right now, your focus should be on getting the medical care you need and documenting everything related to your injuries and the accident. Don’t feel pressured to give recorded statements to insurance companies or accept quick settlement offers before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. These companies have one goal, and that’s to pay as little as possible. In multi-vehicle accidents, determining fault can be complex, with multiple insurance companies trying to shift blame away from their drivers. You deserve an attorney who will thoroughly investigate what happened, identify all responsible parties, and fight to recover every dollar you’re entitled to for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we’ve spent over 40 years standing up for accident victims throughout California, and we don’t charge you anything unless we win your case. If you or a loved one was injured in this crash, please reach out to us for a free consultation—let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.”- Andy Gillin, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one was injured in the three-vehicle collision on State Route 25 near Hollister, or any other traffic accident in California, the experienced legal team at GJEL Accident Attorneys is ready to fight for your rights. The insurance companies are already working to protect their interests—you need someone protecting yours. We understand that accident victims are often concerned about the cost of hiring an attorney, which is why we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis—you pay absolutely nothing unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
This means there are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses while we handle your case. We only get paid if you get paid, and our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, never deducted from your own pocket. This contingency fee structure allows injured victims to access the exact high-quality legal representation as wealthy corporations and insurance companies, regardless of their financial situation.
With over 40 years of experience, a 99% success rate, and more than $1 billion recovered for our clients, GJEL Accident Attorneys has the knowledge, resources, and commitment to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. Don’t let financial concerns prevent you from getting the legal help you deserve—contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation, and let us explain how we can help you navigate the complex legal process and recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Your road to recovery starts with a single phone call. Let our experienced team fight for the justice and compensation you deserve while you focus on healing from your injuries. Call us at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Concord office to schedule your consultation. Remember, California has time limits for filing a claim, so acting promptly is crucial.
Local Resources for San Benito County Accident Victims
If you’ve been involved in an accident in San Benito County, the following resources may be helpful:
California Highway Patrol – Hollister Office 2992 Fairview Road Hollister, CA 95023 Phone: (831) 637-0131 Non-Emergency: (800) 835-5247 Website: https://www.chp.ca.gov Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The CHP investigates traffic collisions on state highways and rural roads throughout San Benito County, including State Route 25. You can request accident reports online through their website or by visiting the office in person once the report becomes available, typically within 10 business days of the collision.
Hollister Police Department 400 Apollo Way Hollister, CA 95023 Non-Emergency: (831) 636-4330 Emergency: 911 Website: https://www.hollister.ca.gov/police
The Hollister Police Department handles accidents within city limits and can provide collision reports and information about accidents that occur on city streets.
San Benito County Sheriff’s Office 2301 Technology Parkway Hollister, CA 95023 Non-Emergency: (831) 636-4080 Emergency: 911 Website: https://www.san-benito.ca.us/sheriff
The Sheriff’s Office responds to accidents on unincorporated county roads and can provide information about accident reports and investigations outside of city limits.
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital 911 Sunset Drive Hollister, CA 95023 Emergency Department: (831) 637-5711 Main Hospital: (831) 637-5511 Website: https://www.hazelhawkins.com
The primary hospital serving San Benito County provides 24/7 emergency care for accident victims. The emergency department is equipped to handle traumatic injuries from motor vehicle collisions.
California Department of Motor Vehicles – Hollister Office 691 San Benito Street Hollister, CA 95023 Phone: (800) 777-0133 Website: https://www.dmv.ca.gov Office Hours: By appointment only
The DMV can assist with vehicle registration issues, driver’s license concerns following an accident, and requests for driver records. You’re required to report any accident involving injuries or property damage exceeding $1,000 to the DMV within 10 days using form SR-1.
San Benito County Superior Court 450 Fourth Street Hollister, CA 95023 Phone: (831) 636-4057 Website: https://www.san-benito.ca.us/superior-court Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
If your personal injury case requires litigation, it would be filed with the San Benito County Superior Court. The court can provide information about filing procedures and case status.
Caltrans District 5 (San Benito County) 50 Higuera Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Phone: (805) 549-3111 Website: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5
Caltrans maintains State Route 25 and other state highways in San Benito County. They handle road maintenance concerns, traffic safety issues, and can provide information about highway conditions and construction projects that may have contributed to accident conditions.
Council on Aging – Senior Mobility Services 1367 San Benito Street Hollister, CA 95023 Phone: (831) 636-4900
Provides transportation assistance to seniors and individuals with disabilities who may need help attending medical appointments or court proceedings following an accident.
San Benito County Health and Human Services 1111 San Felipe Road, Suite 107 Hollister, CA 95023 Phone: (831) 637-5367 Website: https://hhsa.cosb.us
