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NATIONAL CITY, San Diego County, CA, Sept. 29, 2026 — A motorcycle and a car collided Monday morning, September 28, on northbound I-5 near Civic Center Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash blocked lanes of traffic during the morning commute.
The California Highway Patrol's incident log describes a gray Nissan and a black motorcycle involved in the collision, with two motorcycles reported down at the scene. Responding units held the number one lane while fire crews and medics worked at the location, the report shows.
The extent of injuries has not been released. Good Samaritans reportedly helped move at least one motorcycle to the center divider while emergency crews responded, according to the CHP log. A tow was requested and a rotation tow truck later cleared the roadway, per the agency's records.
Caltrans maintenance and a Freeway Service Patrol unit assisted at the scene before the incident was closed out, the log indicates. The cause of the collision has not been confirmed and remains under investigation.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk in Motorcycle Collisions
Riders carry a level of exposure that drivers and passengers in cars do not share. A motorcycle has no frame, airbags, or crumple zone, so even a low speed impact can throw a rider from the bike and onto the pavement or into another lane of traffic.
Left-turning vehicles are a common factor in crashes involving motorcycles, particularly at intersections and freeway merge points where a car misjudges a bike's speed or simply does not see it in time. Riders navigating multi-lane highways during heavy commute traffic face added risk from lane changes and sudden braking around them.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, motorcycle fatalities decreased from 649 in 2022 to 583 in 2023. Even with that decline, riders remain a group that absorbs a much larger share of serious injury and death relative to the number of motorcycles on the road compared with passenger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do motorcycle crashes tend to cause more serious injury?
Riders have no enclosed structure protecting them, so a collision that a car occupant might walk away from can throw a motorcyclist onto the road or into another vehicle.
How do left-turning cars end up hitting motorcycles?
Drivers making left turns sometimes misjudge a motorcycle's speed or distance, or fail to see it at all, and turn directly into its path.
What can drivers do to spot motorcycles more easily?
Checking mirrors and blind spots twice, allowing extra following distance, and treating a motorcycle like any full-size vehicle when judging gaps in traffic can help drivers avoid pulling out in front of one.
What should a rider do immediately after a crash?
Move to a safe area if possible, call 911, avoid removing riding gear that may be stabilizing an injury, and seek medical evaluation even if pain isn't immediately apparent.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in National City, CA
Anyone involved in a motorcycle crash in National City should get checked by a medical professional promptly, since injuries like road rash, fractures, or internal trauma are not always obvious right away. Keep records of any medical visits and treatment.
Report the crash to the California Highway Patrol or local police if that hasn't already happened, and request a copy of the official report once it's available. If a vehicle was towed or impounded, note the tow company and location for your own records. Taking photos of the scene, damage, and gear can help later, and reaching out to your insurance provider early keeps that process moving.
