Vehicle Goes Off-Road Near Steamboat Slough Bridge
A major injury occurred on March 4 when a vehicle went off the road in Courtland, which is northeast of Rio Vista. The accident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated that a passerby called in the accident, saying they were on State Route 160 near Steamboat Slough Bridge at around 12:32 p.m. The vehicle was located by officers in a field just south of the Bridge, and a wrecker was required to drag it back up to the roadway.
Authorities Investigating to Determine Cause of Major Injury Accident
One person in the vehicle was discovered to have suffered major injuries in the crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The CHP is conducting an investigation to find out why the crash occurred.
What Causes a Major Injury Run-Off-Road Accident
A run-off-road collision often results in a major injury or fatality because the vehicle enters rough terrain and encounters large boulders or trees. Usually, these types of accidents are caused by driver error, such as speeding, bad weather conditions, drunk or distracted driving and others. It is possible for an accident that involves a single vehicle to be caused by an outside force. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may be able to claim fair compensation that covers medical expenses, time off work and pain and suffering.
A Run-Off-Road Accident Caused by Mechanical Failure
A run-off-road accident may be caused by a defect in a vehicle’s tires, steering, brakes, accelerator or even the motor itself. These accidents can be caused by the following conditions:
- Tire blowout: If the tread separates or the tire blows out, the driver can lose control, causing the vehicle to go off the road.
- Power steering failure: A failed power steering system can cause the wheel to lock up, making it difficult for the driver to control the car.
- Brake failure: An inability to brake can result in a run-off-road accident when the driver can no longer control the speed of the vehicle.
- Run-off-road accidents may occur and result in a major injury when an engine suddenly stops operating, as the driver is unable to control what’s happening.
A personal injury lawyer can help in filing an auto product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer and other parties when a mechanical defect leads to an accident. In order to inspect the vehicle for defects, it is important to prevent it from being destroyed after an accident.
Negligence by the Government
Poor road design, potholes, fissures, upheavals, and other issues may contribute to run-off-road accidents that cause a major injury. Government agencies responsible for design and maintenance may be liable for injuries that occur. When a government entity is involved, the statute of limitations is much shorter, so consulting with a lawyer can be helpful.
When someone wishes to place a claim against a government entity, they have up to six months from the time of the injury to do so. The entity has up to 45 days to respond. If no response is received, the injured person can file a lawsuit within two years. If the entity denies the claim, the injured person has six months to file the lawsuit.
The lawyer can make certain that all paperwork is completed correctly and that the claim is filed before the statute of limitations expires. If the claim is not filed before the statute of limitations expires, it cannot be heard in court.
Contacting an Injury Lawyer
Taking advantage of a free, no-obligation consultation with an injury lawyer may be beneficial if you suffered injuries after a run-off-road accident caused by an outside influence. Our law firm has handled many cases of this type over the years.
Rio Vista Car Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Rio Vista car accident lawyer. Not all traffic collisions are caused by driver negligence. If you think an outside influence led to your injury accident, call our lawyers at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for our free and friendly advice. An online contact form is available also if you prefer to reach us that way.
We’re honored to be a member of:
At the links that follow, you can discover how our team of injury lawyers has helped others:
Photo attribution: Image by Frauke Feind from Pixabay
:cd llo [753]