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Fatal I-15 Crash Near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard near Tierrasanta: Who Is at Fault?

Posted on: October 26th, 2026 by Pajman Jassim

I-15 Crash Clairemont MesaFatal I-15 Crash Clairemont Mesa

Early Monday morning, October 26, 2026, a multi-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 15 near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in San Diego killed one person and closed all northbound lanes during the morning commute. Below, San Diego car accident lawyers Pajman and Parisima Jassim summarize what is known, explain how fault is decided in multi-vehicle freeway crashes, and outline what families should know after a fatal collision.

What Happened in the I-15 Crash Near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard?

According to the California Highway Patrol and local news reports, CHP responded to a multi-vehicle collision on northbound I-15 at Clairemont Mesa Boulevard before dawn on Monday. One person was killed. CHP issued a Sig Alert, closed all northbound lanes, and diverted traffic onto the State Route 52 connector, causing major delays through the morning commute. The identity of the person who died and the cause of the crash have not been released. CHP is investigating.

By Pajman Jassim and Parisima Jassim | Jassim Law | San Diego Car Accident and Wrongful Death Trial Lawyers

Who Is at Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Freeway Crash?

Multi-vehicle crashes are among the hardest cases to sort out, because several drivers may share responsibility. In California, fault is decided under comparative negligence: each driver is responsible for their share of the harm, and an injured person can recover even if they were partly at fault. Common causes of chain-reaction freeway crashes include:

  • Speeding or following too closely
  • Distracted or impaired driving
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Drowsy driving during overnight and early-morning hours
  • Disabled vehicles or debris in travel lanes

Early reports often differ on how many vehicles were involved and in what order they collided. That is one reason the first version of events, including the police report, should never be treated as the final word.

What Evidence Matters After a Fatal Freeway Crash?

In our experience, multi-vehicle cases are won or lost on evidence gathered in the first weeks:

  • Vehicle event data recorders (“black boxes”) showing speed and braking
  • Caltrans and traffic camera footage, which can be overwritten quickly
  • Dash-cam video from other drivers
  • Phone records showing distraction
  • Witness statements taken while memories are fresh
  • Accident reconstruction based on scene measurements and vehicle damage

A preservation demand, and when necessary an early lawsuit with subpoena power, keeps that evidence from disappearing.

How Does Jassim Law Handle Wrongful Death Cases?

Fatal crashes often begin with an incomplete picture. In one of our wrongful death cases, there were no witnesses and the police report blamed our client. We investigated what the report missed, and the case resolved for $1,370,000. In another case, a trucking company blamed a “phantom” vehicle that left the scene; that case resolved for $9,000,000.

Jassim Law is a selective San Diego personal injury trial firm. Your case is handled directly by attorneys Pajman Jassim and Parisima Jassim, not a case manager. We file suit early, retain accident reconstruction experts, and prepare every case for trial from day one.

What Should Families Do After a Fatal Car Accident in San Diego?

  1. Request the CHP traffic collision report number.
  2. Keep all documents, photos, and contact information for witnesses.
  3. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company.
  4. Do not sign releases or accept early settlement offers.
  5. Speak with a wrongful death lawyer before evidence is lost.

Frequently Asked Questions | Fatal I-15 Crash Clairemont Mesa

Under California law, a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and certain other heirs may file a wrongful death claim. If none of them survive, others who would inherit, and in some cases financial dependents, may be eligible.

The general deadline is two years from the date of death. If a government entity may share fault, such as for a dangerous roadway, a claim generally must be presented within six months.

California uses comparative negligence. Each driver is assigned a percentage of fault, and compensation is reduced by that percentage. Accident reconstruction, vehicle data, and video usually determine those percentages.

Act Now!  Call a Trusted San Diego Wrongful Death | Car Accident Lawyer

If you lost a loved one or were seriously injured in a freeway crash, contact Jassim Law for a free, confidential consultation with San Diego car accident lawyers Pajman Jassim and Parisima Jassim. We will give you an honest assessment of your case. Learn more about our wrongful death practice.

Attorney Advertising. This article summarizes publicly reported information and is for general informational purposes only; it is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Details may change as the investigation continues. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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