Two-Vehicle Crash Leads to Pedestrian Injury
A serious pedestrian injury occurred in Rancho Cordova along westbound U.S. Route 50 on the evening of December 11 after a two-vehicle crash. According to reports, the vehicles stopped at Sunrise Boulevard were in the one and two lanes on the left side, when a woman exited one of the cars. After getting out of her vehicle, she was struck by a third car passing on the highway, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). She was taken to UC Davis Medical Center with what were described as major injuries. Another person involved in the accident was said to have suffered minor injuries.
Highway Blocked Due to Two-Vehicle Crash
Caltrans reported that the three lanes on the left-hand side of the highway were blocked and that traffic delays could be expected. Shortly before 10:00 p.m, the third lane had reopened. Officers with the CHP are in charge of the investigation to determine the details of the collision and to assign fault. It is uncertain why the woman left her vehicle.
Exiting a Vehicle on the Highway
Whether you are having car trouble or have been in an accident on a busy highway, it is best to remain in the vehicle. Ideally, it is best to get to the shoulder of the road or even enter the median. However, this is not always possible. While remaining in a stopped vehicle with traffic passing is unnerving, it is the better alternative. There are a few things you can do while you wait for help:
- Roll the window down, and put a handkerchief or white paper in the open space before closing the window. This tells other drivers you are in trouble.
- Use your cell phone to call 911.
- Use emergency blinkers to tell other motorists you are stopped and having a problem.
Who Is Liable For a Pedestrian Injury
Pedestrian accidents on highways are more common than you might imagine. Approximately 10 percent of all pedestrian deaths happen on highways, with 90 percent of these occurring after dark. Let’s examine why such accidents happen:
- The person may be standing in the road or on the shoulder after their vehicle sustained a flat tire. In many instances, the pedestrian is attempting to repair the flat. Driver fatigue, distraction, or impairment are usually responsible for accidents.
- Mechanical issues are often involved in a highway pedestrian accident. The driver or another occupant may exit the vehicle to push it to the side of the road or repair it. Driver inattention or distraction is often responsible for a pedestrian injury.
- After a crash, a motorist communicating with the driver of another car or surveying damage to their vehicle accident can be struck. Both poor roadway lighting or driver error is responsible for a pedestrian injury in this case.
What an Attorney Can Do to Help
After a pedestrian injury on the highway, an individual has the right to be financially compensated for medical care, lost time from work, and pain and suffering. Our law firm works hard to obtain the damages you deserve. We start by sending our investigators to the accident site. There, they use accident reconstruction techniques to recreate the crash and interview witnesses who saw it happen. If possible, we also obtain video footage of the crash and review police reports for accuracy. Once all evidence has been collected, our investigators release it to our legal team to use in building a strong case for our client.
Rancho Cordova Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Rancho Cordova Car Accident Lawyer. A pedestrian injury can be devastating and rob you of your financial wellbeing. Let my firm help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach out to me online if that is easier for you.
I’ve helped numerous clients in Rancho Cordova for more than 37 years in all varieties of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and other traumatic events.
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To learn more about my practice, look at peer and client reviews, and the way we resolved other cases in the past using the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/highway-feierabend-traffic-2104379/
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