Driver Error Causes Multiple Injuries
Driver error may have caused an Elk Grove collision on June 2. It involved a woman in a Lexus SUV, returning from grocery shopping. Of the five vehicles involved, four people ended up hospitalized with the driver of the Lexus listed in critical condition. The accident happened along Laguna Boulevard as the motorist attempted to turn left onto Dwight Road. The vehicle crossed the median into traffic that was coming in her direction. The Lexus struck a Suzuki, which caused a chain reaction, involving three other vehicles.
Injuries in the Accident
Three of the drivers involved in the accident were reported as being in stable condition at nearby hospitals. The woman who was driving the Lexus and committed the driver error suffered the most serious injuries. She was reported by an Elk Grove Police Department spokesperson as having life-threatening injuries.
Speeding Is a Problem in the Area
Traffic was diverted for a number of hours as police conducted an investigation into the accident. One man who was interviewed following the crash said that speeding was a problem. He said it was concerning because there were a number of churches and residences in that location. He especially expressed concern for children in the area and said that drivers should avoid speeding and texting or talking on a cell phone.
How Driver Error Can Happen
Readers may be wondering how a driver can be making a turn and suddenly veer across the centerline into oncoming traffic. It can happen in a number of ways, most of them due to driver error. They include:
- Speeding: A driver who is speeding has more difficulty in making a turn. If the driver loses control, the vehicle can slide into another lane. Panic can make the motorist overcorrect, and this driver error can result in a crash.
- Distracted driving: This is a common driver error that can quickly lead to an accident. Talking or texting on a cell phone, eating or drinking while driving and other distractions take the motorist’s eyes off the road.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Those who are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs become a danger to others on the road as well as themselves. In some instances, prescription medicine or over-the-counter medication can impair the motorist’s ability to drive safely.
- Fatigue: A motorist who is too tired to be behind the wheel of a car can cause a crash due to driver error. Their reaction time may be slower as well as their reflexes in an emergency. Some drivers fall asleep while actively driving. Shift work, medical conditions, lack of sleep, and other factors contribute to fatigue.
- Mechanical defect: A vehicle that has a defect in the steering wheel, accelerator, brakes, or other parts can cause an accident. In these cases, the manufacturer, designer, and others may be liable for damages caused by an accident.
- Medical issues: Some drivers have medical problems that can affect their ability to drive safely. Among these are cataracts, epilepsy, dementia, and uncontrolled diabetes.
Elk Grove Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove car accident lawyer. Being injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault can leave you with high medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury lawyer may be able to help. Contact me at (916) 694-0002 from Elk Grove or (800) 404-5400 from outside the area for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me through the contact form online.
It has been my honor to have won fair compensation for many Elk Grove residents. Some areas I work in include motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death cases, and traumatic injuries.
You can look over some of the cases handled by my firm in the past and client reviews at the following:
Two of the groups I belong to are:
- Million Dollar Forum: Recognizes the top trial lawyers around the country who have won in excess of $1 million for a client.
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel: Invites only those lawyers who uphold the highest standards in the field of law.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_139919110_l-2015
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