Was Tiger Woods’ Near-Fatal Car Accident Caused by California Road Defects?

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Los Angeles, Calif. — On the morning of February 23, 2021, legendary golf champion, Tiger Woods was involved in a serious single-vehicle rollover accident on a steep stretch of Hawthorne Boulevard; located on the border of Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates. Woods was traveling northbound on the curved road when his car rolled over and sustained serious damage. Fortunately, Woods was not fatally injured and was conscious when emergency responders rescued him from the vehicle then flew him to a nearby hospital. As a result of the accident, he sustained devastating injuries to his right leg that have jeopardized his career.

The exact cause of the crash is currently under investigation. It may take investigators several weeks, if not months, to understand the dynamics of his accident. Woods was neither drunk nor inhibited by illicit drugs when the accident occurred. Weather conditions also did not play a role. Investigators are unsure whether speeding, distracted driving or some other factor played a role. Another factor that is also being investigated is the road itself. 

That stretch of Hawthorne Boulevard just outside the Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhood has been a known danger zone for Los Angeles drivers. The Los Angeles County Sheriff, Alex Villanueva, stated that there have been a total of 13 accidents, four of which resulted in injuries, on that road since last January. Since the 1970s, this particular area of Hawthorne Boulevard has seen an unfortunately high number of fatal crashes, including one in which a speeding truck hit a car and killed all three of its occupants. 

The road is perilous in more ways than one; it’s a hotbed for accidents due to its nature. The windy road has a steep gradient where it has become prevalent for many drivers to speed. The combination of these factors makes it an area where serious and often fatal accidents are all too common.

What Causes Rollover Car Accidents?

Rollover accidents are some of the most serious, and often fatal, accidents that can occur on California roads. In fact, rollover crashes cause 30% of all vehicle occupant fatalities. Of course, when a vehicle rolls over following an incident, it’s a violent ordeal. Often, the interior of the car is so severely damaged that the chances of a fatal injury occurring to the driver or passengers are significantly increased. But what exactly causes a vehicle to roll over?

Well, driver negligence or error is a huge cause of a rollover. Often, drivers who are speeding are more likely to flip or roll the vehicle, as are those who are under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Over-correcting while traveling at high speeds is also likely to cause the vehicle to flip. 

Furthermore, the type of vehicle being driven has a significant impact. Vehicles with a higher center of gravity, such as sports utility vehicles or trucks, have a greater chance of rolling over. 

There is also an increased chance of a rollover accident if defective roadways are present. Poor road and weather conditions or ill-maintained roads can increase the chances of a vehicle flipping. The presence of roadway dangers such as inadequate lighting that prevents drivers from seeing hazards, debris on the road, or potholes, can all lead to a driver swerving or overcorrecting. This, in turn, can cause a vehicle to roll or flip. Other roadway defects that may increase rollovers include:

• Poorly established construction zones
• Unclear highway divisions or road lines
• Steep shoulder drop-offs
• Poor change of shoulder signs notifications

Of course, a flaw in road design is also a roadway defect that can have a massive impact on the increased likelihood of a rollover crash. As in the case of the Tiger Woods incident, the design of a steep road with a perilous gradient, combined with curves in the road, all ultimately contributed to the golfer’s near-fatal crash. 

Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Rollover Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a rollover car accident or an accident caused by a defective California roadway, it’s important to immediately contact an experienced rollover accident lawyer. The Los Angeles car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates can then help determine if you have a valid auto injury claim. With multiple offices located in Los Angeles, El Segundo, Irvine, San Diego, and Riverside, our personal injury lawyers represent accident victims across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call 949-727-9300.