Richmond Student Injured by Out of Control Driver – AutoAccident.com
I’m Ed Smith, a Richmond car accident lawyer. A student at a Richmond elementary school became injured on October 18 after a driver lost control and veered into the school’s playground.
I want to extend my sympathy for the accident and best wishes to the family that the child will recover quickly and completely.
Accident Details
A representative of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the incident occurred shortly before 3:00 in the afternoon when a vehicle driving along East Richmond Avenue suddenly hit a rail. It was the rail that struck the minor. Emergency personnel were summoned to treat the injured minor. The identity of the student and extent of their injuries remains unknown at this time. The incident is being investigated by the CHP.
Common Reasons Drivers Lose Control of Their Vehicle
The most common reasons cars go out of control:
- Tire blowout: This happens if a significant blow to a tire occurs, such as hitting a curb at a high speed, a cut in the tire or a tire defect. It can also occur when a tire has a slow leak due to an embedded nail or other sharp object. In hot climates, tire blowouts can be due to the effect of heat on an usually worn tire. Today, tire pressure sensors are used to warn drivers that the pressure in a tire is low. If a tire blowout happens, the driver should refrain from braking, proceed without turning the wheel, if possible, and wait until the car stops.
- Partial tire separation: The treads of a tire can separate for several reasons, including manufacturing defects. This is common to steel-belted radial tires since it is difficult to bond steel to rubber. Manufacturing and design defects add to the problem as seen with the Continental General tires and the Firestone ATX. Both underinflation and warm weather affect radial tire separation. On occasion, the car or light truck manufacturer suggests a tire pressure that is too low for steel belt radials. When this happens, the car may bounce, sometimes violently. The driver should not brake or steer since it may cause the vehicle to go out of control.
- Steering failure: This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, the power steering is gone and steering becomes difficult. Aside from forcefully turning the wheel and stopping, seeing a mechanic is a good way to go.
- Brake failure: It is best to shift to a lower gear, and if you have antilock brakes, depress the brake as far as possible and ABS should take over. If your vehicle does not have ABS brakes, pump the brake pedal rapidly to try and pump up brake pressure. Afterward, slowly and easily depress the brake. If nothing works, steer the vehicle to a safe spot if possible. Let it slow down gradually and stop. Brake defects due to poor manufacturing practices or faulty design also occur.
- Running off of the road: When this happens, it may be due to driver distraction, falling asleep or when a driver is trying to avoid hitting another vehicle. The most important thing to remember is not to overcorrect. Steer the vehicle gently, and brake only if you are about to hit an object.
Injuries Associated With Loss of Control
Depending on your vehicle, rollovers result when a driver overcorrects after a malfunction. Rollover injuries can include head and neck injury, particularly when the roof is not able to support the impact. Other injuries experienced by pedestrians can be catastrophic due to their lack of physical protection. In addition, an out of control vehicle can hit a stationary object such as a tree that does not give, causing death to the occupants.
Richmond Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Richmond car accident lawyer. Car accidents can happen at any time and leave behind traumatic injuries and resultant medical expenses. If you or your loved ones have been injured through negligence by another person, please call (510) 631-0200, and I will be honored to give you my friendly and free advice about your situation. If you are calling from outside the local calling zone, dial (800) 404-5400.
One group I am proud to belong to is the Million Dollar Advocates. This membership demonstrates that I am one of the member trial attorneys who has garnered at least one million dollar verdicts and/or settlements for prior clients.
Feel free to look over my practice reviews at:
Settlements and verdicts, located on my website, autoaccident.com, provides information about why accidents happen and what to do after you have been injured.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/playground-floating-in-the-air-902226/
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