Injured Party Self Reports Pine Ridge Road Two-Vehicle Head-On Collision
A two-vehicle head-on collision near Ukiah on July 9 caused major trauma to at least one person. The accident occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. along Pine Ridge Road near Low Gap Road when two Subarus hit each other head-on. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the reporting person left her daughter at the accident scene and drove herself to the Sheriff’s Office on Low Gap Road, where she reported the crash from the parking lot.
Injured Driver Calls for Medical Attention at Sheriff’s Office
The driver had suffered injuries to her arm and her leg. She told officers that she needed medical attention for herself as well as at the accident scene for her daughter and the driver of the other vehicle. Tow trucks were required to remove both vehicles, which had sustained major front-end damage. An investigation by CHP traffic accident officers is determining which driver was at fault for the accident.
Reasons Why a Two-Vehicle Head-On Collision Occurs
Serious injuries commonly occur in a two-vehicle head-on collision. Most of these accidents occur due to driver negligence, such as the following:
- Intoxicated drivers: The risk of a head-on collision increases in rural areas if a driver is impaired by drugs or alcohol. Several studies have indicated that impaired drivers have a lower reaction time when confronted with an unexpected hazard, such as another vehicle coming straight at them.
- Speeding: The driver’s ability to react quickly enough to avoid a head-on collision is reduced by going too fast along rural roads; speeding reduces the driver’s ability to adjust to changes in the road or environment. Drivers sometimes feel they can speed and not get caught because of the lower traffic and police presence on these types of roads.
- Fatigue: Rural highway crashes are often caused by driver fatigue. When a driver is fatigued, he or she is more likely to drift in and out of lanes without realizing it, resulting in poor decisions behind the wheel.
- Distracted driving: Rural highways, where there are fewer other drivers and police officers around, are especially dangerous because distracted driving is a major issue. As a result of texting while driving, motorists are less likely to recognize potential hazards ahead of time. Looking away from the roadway for just a few seconds can cause a vehicle to drift over the centerline, causing a two-vehicle head-on collision.
Trauma from a head-on collision is typically severe, requiring hospitalization, potentially surgery and the inability to work for a period of time, all of which may be recoverable by filing a personal injury claim. The fault and cause of an accident can be determined by an injury lawyer. Medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages may be claimed against the other driver if they are at fault.
Using the following tips provided by accident attorney Ed Smith when searching for a personal injury lawyer can help you make an informed choice:
Personal Injury Lawyer in Ukiah
I am Ed Smith. I’m a personal injury lawyer in Ukiah. Those who suffer injuries as a result of negligent motorists may be eligible to recover compensation for their losses. You can find out more about your case by contacting one of our accident attorneys at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400. We can also be left an online message. Learn your rights, get a case evaluation, and find out what options you might have to collect damages.
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Injury lawyers from our team have helped clients achieve a number of beneficial outcomes following an injury, including:
Photo attribution: Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
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