State Route 51 Accident Backs Up Traffic Following Two-Vehicle Crash
Accident injuries were reported in a two-vehicle crash in Sacramento on January 25. The collision happened on State Route 51 southbound at the off-ramp for El Camino Avenue around 3:13 in the afternoon between a Fiat sedan and a Subaru Outback. According to the police report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the collision took place between the off-ramp and the bridge, blocking three lanes of traffic.
Accident Being Investigated to Determine Fault
The traffic was quickly backed up to the Marconi curve. Sacramento Fire Department first responders arrived to assess injuries suffered in the crash. No further information was released. The accident is under investigation by the CHP to find out how it happened.
Exit Ramps and Accident Injuries
Exit and entrance ramps are common locations for traffic collisions, and they often result in serious injuries. Some of the reasons these accidents happen include:
- Drivers are attempting to move over to the next lane to exit the highway. In some cases, the driver is either unfamiliar with the road or waits too late to safely move over.
- The driver is speeding, which makes it dangerous to change lanes. Speeding while on the exit ramp itself can end up with the motorist losing control of their vehicle, which can result in accident injuries.
- The motorist tries to change lanes while on the ramp. Because traffic is moving close together and lanes may be narrow, it can easily cause a sideswipe or rear-end collision.
- The ramp itself can be to blame if it is poorly designed or has a curve in it that is too sharp. In these cases, it may be possible to place a claim against the government entity that designed and built it.
- Weather conditions may be poor with ice on the ramp, slickness from rain or snow buildup. This can easily lead to accident injuries.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Helps
After one has been in an accident and suffered injuries, they feel shaken and may face hospitalization with resulting high medical bills and the inability to work. This is in addition to their pain and suffering. Many people in this position wonder how they will pay their bills, and that adds to their worry.
A personal injury lawyer is trained to gather the evidence to prove a client’s claim for compensation. They can handle negotiations with the insurance company or take the case to court if necessary. In this way, the injured party can concentrate on getting better without the added financial worry.
Investigating an Accident
Our investigative team is experienced in gathering the evidence needed to support our client’s compensation claim. They go to the accident site and review the police report for accuracy as well as talk to the witnesses. Forensic reconstruction of the accident is performed as well as a search for video footage of the collision, which is commonly used by the insurance company as proof of fault.
The investigators will also look for signs of government negligence from poor ramp design to lack of maintenance. If it is found, the government entity charged with upkeep and design may be held responsible financially. Our injury attorneys take over once the evidence has been gathered to construct a strong case that benefits our client.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. When you’ve been injured by a negligent motorist, you might be interested in advice from a personal injury lawyer. Call me at (916) 921-6400 for my free, friendly advice or at (800) 404-5400 outside the area code. I can also be reached online.
For the past 38 years, I’ve helped many people in Sacramento and surrounding Northern California in obtaining fair compensation for their traumatic injuries, wrongful death cases, and all kinds of traffic collisions.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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