Off-Road Crash on S.R. 162 Causes Major Injuries
An off-road crash in Oroville occurred on July 25 when a vehicle went off the road for unknown reasons and ended up about 100 feet down a cliff. The accident happened around 3:53 p.m. on westbound S.R. 162 just west of Forbestown Road. The vehicle, which was hauling a jet ski on a small trailer, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), slid down the cliff but was visible from the roadway above.
Driver Injured in Off-Road Crash Airlifted to Hospital
Forbestown Road was closed to traffic as a wrecker brought up the vehicle. The driver suffered major injuries in the crash and was airlifted to a hospital. The roadway was clear at 4:16 p.m. Investigators with the CHP traffic accident unit are determining what happened to cause the collision.
Reasons Why a Vehicle Suddenly Experiences an Off-Road Accident
When a vehicle suddenly leaves the road, it can be a confusing and unsettling situation for everyone involved. Although driver error is often the cause of these incidents, there are other reasons why a vehicle may veer from its intended path. Following are some of the causes that could be behind an unexpected departure from the roadway, other than driver error that might lead to the recovery of compensation:
- Mechanical failure: Malfunctioning parts or systems in a car can lead to sudden and unpredictable movements while driving. This could involve brakes not working correctly or mechanical issues with steering systems. Retaining a vehicle following an accident is necessary so that it can be examined for defects. If a defect led to the off-road crash, an auto product liability claim may be placed to recover compensation.
- Poor visibility: If visibility is poor due to weather conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or snow, drivers may have difficulty maintaining their lane and end up in an accident.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, weakened guardrails, debris, or uneven pavement can cause a car to move unexpectedly off the road or into another traffic lane. The government agency charged with roadway maintenance may be liable for injuries. However, since the limit to file a government claim is six months, contacting a lawyer is important to meet the deadline.
- Animals or objects in the roadway: If an animal or object suddenly appears in front of the car, drivers may swerve to avoid a collision. If the animal happens to be a horse, cow or other livestock, the owner might be liable for injuries.
- An aggressive or hit-and-run driver: Even if other drivers are operating their vehicles recklessly, it can cause a driver to become involved in an off-road crash. If the driver is located, they can be held responsible financially.
The following tips might be helpful when hiring a lawyer, explains Ed Smith in the video below:
Personal Injury Attorney in Oroville
I am Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Oroville. Feel free to contact our injury lawyers at (530) 392-9400 if you were injured in an accident caused by negligence. We can also be reached online or by phone at (800) 404-5400. If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our injury attorneys to discuss your case and compensation options, our staff will gladly help.
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As you can see from the following links, our accident attorneys have helped many people recover fair compensation for their injuries over the years.
Photo attribution: Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
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