Sacramento Crash Causes Multiple Deaths
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. A two-vehicle crash in Sacramento on March 27 caused the death of a woman and child, along with injuries to three others.
I extend my condolences and prayers to the loved ones of those injured and killed in this heartbreaking accident.
Details of the Accident
Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived at an accident scene at the intersection of Northrop Avenue and Watt Avenue, north of Fair Oaks Boulevard, at about 9:30 in the evening. It was reported that a vehicle moving north on Watt was attempting to make a left turn onto Northrop and was struck by a pickup traveling south along Watt.
Accident Fatalities and Injuries
Two individuals in the motor vehicle, an unidentified female, and boy, age 8, were killed in the collision. The driver of the motor vehicle, a male, was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries described as major, along with two children listed as critical. The two children had been riding in the car’s backseat at the time of the accident. The driver of the pickup, a female, sustained minor injuries and cooperated with police investigating the crash. The CHP reported that neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to be involved as a factor in the accident.
Left Turn Accidents Are Common
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, left turn accidents at intersections account for 36 percent of all motor vehicle crashes. Some of the reasons by the NHTSA for accidents when vehicles attempt to turn left are:
- Drivers misjudge the speed at which other vehicles are moving.
- A driver fails to yield the right of way to another vehicle.
- Poor surveillance occurs such as driving into another motorist’s blind spot.
- The vehicle turns when the view is obstructed by another vehicle instead of waiting for a clear line of sight.
- Miscalculation of the distance across an intersection causes accidents when a driver is turning while traffic is still moving.
- Not signaling when turning can cause an accident since an oncoming driver is unaware.
Wrongful Death in an Accident
A seasoned wrongful death attorney with experience in left turn accidents can help obtain fair compensation for the family’s loss through a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages include:
- Loss of support financially that the decedent would have provided had he or she lived.
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses if the decedent lived for a time before they expired from their injuries.
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of consortium by the spouse
- Loss of affection, companionship, and comfort
- Loss of guidance, training, and care of the parent
- Household services the decedent provided to the family
Making a Left Turn Safely
Making left turns can endanger the occupants of a vehicle if the maneuver is not done safely. In California, road accidents are the fifth leading cause of death in the state. The following insights may help:
- Use the vehicle’s turn signal when planning to turn left.
- Notice whether oncoming drivers appear to be speeding, and take this into consideration when turning.
- Obey the traffic laws. If no sign is posted that allows left turns, continue on to the next intersection rather than risk a crash.
- Use extra caution when the view is obstructed such as by other vehicles or road glare.
- Exercise patience. Usually, vehicles going straight have the right of way before turning vehicles.
Wrongful Death Lawyers in Sacramento
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. Losing a family member to wrongful death is devastating both emotionally and financially. If you have lost a loved one because of the negligent actions of a driver, I would be honored to offer you free, friendly legal advice. Call (916) 921-6400 in Sacramento or (800) 404-5400 outside the calling area. I also offer a contact form at the site I own and founded, AutoAccident.com.
For 36 years, we’ve helped those with personal injuries in Sacramento to obtain fair compensation in cases involving wrongful death and traumatic injuries such as brain injuries.
Information about an injury lawyer is important when deciding who to phone. The following links show what others have said about our law practice and includes a list of some prior cases and their results.
Because we have achieved settlements and verdicts for previous clients of at least $1 million, I was invited to join Million Dollar Advocates.
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/american-back-view-burial-cemetery-356842/
:cd [cs 758] bw cv