Truck Accident on Interstate 5 Causes Neck Injury
A truck accident on Interstate 5 just south of the Seamas Avenue off-ramp resulted in what may prove to be an injury to the neck for one individual. The incident, which took place in a busy area just south of the Sacramento Zoo, occurred at 4:22 p.m. on October 11. The accident involved a Chevy truck and a Dodge Charger, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
One of the vehicles ended up in the center divide, and the other remained on the highway, with the owner refusing to move it off the road. This led to traffic problems in the immediate area. One party in the Charger complained of neck pain, and an ambulance was called to transport them to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The CHP is in charge of investigating the accident to determine how and why it happened.
Accidents in Areas With High Traffic
High traffic areas are commonly the location of accidents. On interstates, this has to do not just with the traffic flow but also with the higher speed limit. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the greater the collision impact. In addition, it also makes it harder for a driver to control his or her vehicle and to stop when an obstacle presents itself. When the impact is high, the seriousness of the injuries are generally greater. Large pickups, as well as semi-trailers, are heavier than other vehicles on the road. The weight also adds to the impact.
How Does Speed Affect Accident Severity
Driving at a higher speed has a significant effect on the accident and those involved as mentioned above. The World Health Organization looked at the effects of speed and found some interesting results. Let’s consider a truck accident or other vehicular collision at 55 mph. The occupants would have a 20-percent higher chance of being fatally injured than they would at a slower speed. For two vehicles, the force of impact at 50 mph is four times higher than one at 20 mph. Alternately, if the vehicles were going 70 mph, the impact strength is nine times higher than it would be at 20 mph. Another study at the University of California at Berkeley proved that for every 1-percent speed increase, the risk of having an accident increases by two percent. The risk of a serious accident likewise increases by 3 percent, and the risk of a fatal accident increases by 4 percent. Even worse, a driver who is going 80 mph in a 70-mph speed zone has a 31-percent risk of an accident, 49-percent increase risk of injury, and a 71-percent chance of dying. Other causes of speed-related problems are:
- Time to brake: As the speed increases, the braking time is also increased. A car that is traveling at 30 mph takes 42 feet or three seconds to stop.
- Tire pressure: Low tire pressure increases the time it takes to stop. This is particularly true if the roads are oily or wet. Further, as the heat decreases, the pressure in the tires may also decrease. It is good to have tires checked as the seasons change and to make sure the tires are not defective.
- Road conditions: It is important to adapt your speed to the road conditions. Driving at a slower speed can help a driver maintain control over his or her vehicle in inclement weather.
Distracted Drivers
Drivers who operate their motor vehicles while doing other tasks are a consistent problem on the road. Distracted driving includes texting, fidgeting with controls, or talking to others in the vehicle. Since a higher speed limit lets a vehicle travel a considerable distance within a second or two, looking away from the road can lead to truck accidents and near misses.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
An attorney fights for your rights after a car or truck accident. They are there to speak to insurance companies on your behalf and to prove that the other driver was at fault. At our firm, we take this obligation seriously and help clients obtain the compensation they deserve. Once we receive a case, we dispatch our investigative team to the accident site. There, they scour the area for evidence pointing to negligence. We also interview witnesses to the accident, obtain video footage of the crash, and review the police report for mistakes. Once this information has been gathered, we turn it over to our legal team to build a strong case for our client.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. If you need experienced legal counsel, call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. I can also be reached online if that is more convenient.
I’ve helped my neighbors in Sacramento in numerous cases, including all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and those with traumatic injuries.
Read more about my practice by going to the following pages:
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