Accident on Dudley Avenue Sends Two People to the Hospital
A rollover collision occurred in North Highlands on December 16 that sent two patients to nearby hospitals with injuries. The accident happened around 10:00 in the evening at Dudley Boulevard and Arnold Avenue at McClellan Air Park. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) were the first to arrive and began offering medical assistance to one involved in the accident.
People Injured Following Two-Vehicle Rollover Collision
At least one of the vehicles was found on its roof with severe damage. When medics with Metro Fire arrived, they began treatment of an additional injured person. Both of the people who were injured in the crash were said to have suffered moderate injuries. The CHP is investigating the rollover collision to find out how it occurred and to assign fault.
Dangers in a Rollover Collision
A rollover collision can be one of the most violent accidents, with occupants thrown about the cabin and ejected from the vehicle. Virtually 95 percent of all rollovers are tripped. This means that the vehicle either encounters an obstacle such as a curb or a soft surface such as loose dirt or gravel that causes it to lose its balance. When this happens, the risk of a rollover crash is high.
Certain vehicles have a greater capacity for rollover. These include SUVs, light trucks, and vans. The reason for this is that this type of vehicle has a high center of gravity. However, any vehicle, including those that have a lower center of gravity, can roll over when struck in the side at higher speeds.
Rollovers and Roof Crush
One of the primary reasons for injury in a rollover is roof crush. This is primarily due to manufacturer negligence and not following federal standards. Because of an onslaught of roof crush cases, the federal government initiated a plan to mandate that manufacturers had to install an infrastructure that would keep a vehicle’s roof from caving in if it rolled. In doing this, the government mandated that roofs and their corresponding infrastructure have to support three times the weight of the vehicle.
However, due to greed and lack of safety concerns for their customers, manufacturers did not necessarily follow this mandate. Our investigators examine the vehicle after an accident to see if manufacturer negligence caused the roof to cave in. This is critical in a product liability case against the manufacturer.
Product Liability Cases in California
California law takes the edge off product liability cases. For instance, it is unnecessary to prove negligence, which is a costly and time-consuming effort. Rather, under the rules of strict liability, the manufacturer is held strictly liable for injuries due to the defective product despite not proving negligence. It must only be shown that the product was not altered and was used as intended.
Investigating a Rollover Crash
As you can see, a rollover crash can be complex and must be examined immediately for evidence that points to the reason for the accident. We send our investigators to the scene of the crash as soon as possible, where they interview witnesses, obtain camera videos of the accident, and examine the police report for errors. We also examine the vehicle for manufacturer defects or lack of structural integrity. This is why it is important to retain the vehicle after a crash.
Our firm’s investigators perform accident reconstruction techniques, which show the vehicles’ positions and determines liability. Once the evidence is amassed, we release it to our injury attorneys as they work to structure a strong case for our clients.
North Highlands Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a North Highlands car accident lawyer. After a serious accident, you need the insight that an experienced lawyer can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach out to me online.
I have helped North Highlands residents since 1982 with all kinds of car accidents, wrongful death, cases and traumatic injuries.
Learn more about my practice at:
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-clash-rome-highway-2165210/
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