Tentative Ruling: Viridiana Barragan et al vs State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) et al

Case Number

25CV04649

Case Type

Hearing Date / Time

Wed, 10/14/2026 - 10:30

Nature of Proceedings

Motion to Compel

Tentative Ruling

The motion is denied without prejudice. Plaintiff has failed to provide the 23 reports for which she seeks the personal information of parties and witnesses involved in previous accidents and more crucially has failed to factually address whether these reports occurred under similar circumstances, which is a different inquiry than whether they occurred at the same location. Nor did she address whether these accidents similarly resulted in serious injuries or death. All are factors required by State ex rel. Department of Transportation v. Superior Court of Ventura County (Paniagua) (2022) 77 Cal.App.5th 998. To the extent plaintiff urges the court to adopt the relaxed standard applicable to the standard for admissibility of similar accidents for purposes of showing knowledge of a defective or dangerous condition, the court observes that plaintiff already has the information necessary to pursue admissibility of that evidence; the personal information of parties and witnesses involved in previous accidents is irrelevant to that inquiry. More is needed before the court can reach a decision.

The parties are instructed to appear at the hearing for oral argument. Appearance by Zoom Videoconference is optional and does not require the filing of Judicial Council form RA-010, Notice of Remote Appearance.