Accident on SR 59 Causes Driver to Crash Into Semi
A fatal accident occurred on a highway in Grass Valley on March 8, involving a head-on collision between a semi-truck and a Toyota pickup. The collision was reported around 6:26 a.m. along State Route 59 at Alta Sierra Drive, closing all the lanes of the Nevada County highway. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) accident report, two Cal Fire units responded to the scene, including a Hazmat crew to take care of a gas spill.
Pickup Driver Killed in Fatal Accident With Semi
Officials at the accident site stated that they believed the pickup truck driver swerved in an attempt to avoid hitting a deer. However, the driver’s pickup did strike the deer, which caused the vehicle to crash into the semi. The pickup truck driver was ejected from their vehicle and died. The Toyota sustained major damage, and the semi, which was fully loaded, had to be removed from the scene by wreckers.
Causes of a Head-On Crash That Can Result in a Fatal Accident
Injuries and fatal accidents commonly result from head-on collisions. The magnitude of these accidents is caused by the enormous momentum of the vehicles. Essentially, the impact force is generated by the momentum of the collision and is magnified by the weight and speed of both vehicles. As a result, the impact is extremely destructive and often causes a fatal accident. As an example, when one vehicle is traveling at 40 mph and the other one coming toward it is driving at 60 mph, the speeds combine to make the impact 100 mph.
What Are the Common Causes of a Head-On Collision?
There are a number of factors that can result in head-on collisions, and most are due to negligence on the part of one of the drivers. Following are some examples of negligence that can lead to a frontal collision:
- Drunk driving: Due to impaired cognition and reduced reflexes, drunk drivers have difficulty controlling their vehicles. Because of their inability to judge distance from other automobiles, weaving in and out of their lane, and even falling asleep while driving, drunk drivers are hazardous to others.
- Speeding: Drivers who speed around curves may lose control of their vehicles and end up on the other side of the road.
- Fatigued drivers: Drivers who are fatigued on the highway can cause a fatal accident, including head-on collisions. It is just as dangerous to operate a vehicle without enough sleep as it is to drive impaired. Dozing off or resting the eyes cause a lot of accidents. Drivers who are fatigued are also more prone to speeding as they fall asleep behind the wheel.
- Improper passing: Choosing the wrong time to pass on a two-lane highway or passing in an area with poor visibility can lead to a fatal accident.
- Distracted driving: A head-on collision can occur if you take a phone call, make a text or converse with someone while driving. Taking a few seconds to look away will give you enough time to slide into an opposing lane.
- Drunk drivers: Drivers who take the wrong direction on a one-way street or drive up the exit ramp of a freeway often cause a fatal accident.
Grass Valley Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Grass Valley personal injury lawyer. When you have been injured in an accident caused by a driver who is negligent, you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation. You can contact us for free and friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is available too. We can set up a free consultation to review your case, tell you about options to recover compensation and answer your questions.
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Photo attribution: Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
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