Auburn Considers New Highway Safety Project
Caltrans reported potential plans for a safety project in a meeting on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. The plan aims to make a particularly dangerous portion of highway in Auburn more safe for local and commuting drivers. The plan would construct a large concrete median between the south and northbound lanes of Highway 49. In addition to the median, the plan would also add roundabouts on intersections located on Lorenson and Lone Star Roads. Caltrans stated during the meeting that the goal of the project is to reduce the high number of dangerous accidents that happen on the local highway.
Public Meeting and Feedback
The meeting in which Caltrans discussed this safety project was open to the public. Among the attendees was a woman who lost her son in a Highway 49 crash. The woman told reporters that her son’s vehicle had hydroplaned and traveled over the median, striking another vehicle. While the plans do not include construction at the site of her son’s crash, the woman stated that “if it could reduce the number of collisions or fatalities, I’m for it.” Another attendee was not so enthusiastic and expressed concern that the added roundabouts would only increase traffic issues in the area.
Caltrans representative Rod Murphy noted that accidents in which a vehicle crosses the highway median are typically “horrific.” At the meeting, officials detailed the number of crashes that have taken place in the area during recent years. According to their statistics, thirty-four crashes happened on this particular stretch of highway between 2015 and 2017. Murphy stated that the $18.7 million project is a direct response to this trend.
Caltrans stated that they expect to begin working on this project in 2022. Officials added that they expect the safety project to be completed sometime during 2023.
Head-On Crashes
Head-on accidents are one of the most dangerous types of crashes. Out of 558 traumatic crashes that took place in Auburn during 2006-2018, only 34 were head-on accidents. These accounted for about 6 percent of crashes overall and were one of the least common types of crashes. While these crashes were uncommon, injuries tended to be more severe than other types of accidents. Additionally, fatal injuries were about twice as common when vehicles collided head-on.
Head-on crashes are so dangerous because both vehicles transfer their full momentum into the impact. While vehicles are usually designed to absorb front-end impacts, the massive force involved means that vehicle occupants are at risk of being seriously injured. People involved in head-on accidents often suffer head injuries, bone fractures, burns, and other serious types of trauma.
Recovering Damages
People who are injured in crashes are often able to claim payments for the damages they have suffered. This is done by filing a “personal injury claim” against negligent parties such as reckless drivers or the makers of faulty vehicle parts. By filing a personal injury claim, crash survivors can receive financial compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Many people aren’t sure what to expect when contacting an Auburn personal injury lawyer about their case. To get an idea of how your consultation will go, you can watch this helpful YouTube video:
More Blogs from Ed Smith, Auburn Personal Injury Lawyer
Auburn Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Auburn personal injury lawyer. If a collision has affected you or your household, contact me at (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400 to receive free, friendly case advice.
I’ve been helping people in Auburn with obtaining fair settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases for over 37 years. You can see what my clients have said about me by reading my reviews at these popular rating sites:
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