Sacramento Collision Fatality
A Sacramento collision fatality occurred along the Capital City Freeway on November 23 following a spinout. A Sacramento man, age 35, had lost control of his car while heading northbound when it was struck by a pickup truck following a heavy rain. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the use of alcohol or drugs as a factor in the crash has not yet been ruled out. I want to extend my prayers and sympathy to the friends and family of the deceased during their time of loss and sorrow.
Sacramento Collision Fatality Details
Reports were received by the CHP shortly before 12:30 in the morning about a crash that occurred on the northbound freeway near Arden Way. Officers discovered that a Sacramento man in a Nissan 350Z had lost control of his vehicle, spun into a metal guardrail and ended up facing south in the northbound lanes. This is when the male driver of a Ford F-150, age 45, crashed into the Nissan, killing its driver. The pickup truck driver was uninjured in the accident. Officials with the CHP are investigating the accident to determine the contributory factors. The North Sacramento CHP is asking anyone who may have seen the accident or have information to phone with the details to aid in the investigation.
Reasons Drivers Lose Control of Their Vehicle
Reasons that drivers lose control are varied. Listed below are some of the most common:
- Entering a turn at a higher speed: Speed alone is responsible for causing many drivers to lose control and potentially cause a Sacramento collision fatality.
- Braking and turning at the same time: This is called trail-breaking and is a common maneuver used to put more traction on the front tires, reducing understeer by increasing traction on the front tires. However, if overdone, the vehicle will end up spinning out of control. This could lead to a Sacramento collision fatality.
- Skidding: This is a common reason for losing control.
- Worn or defective tires: If a vehicle’s tires are defective, a driver may lose control. Likewise, if the tires are worn and not maintained or replaced, the driver may be considered negligent.
- Brake defects: This anomaly can cause the brakes to suddenly stop working. When this happens, the driver can not slow down or stop and will lose control of the vehicle.
- Loss of brake fluid: The cause of this can be related to a problem (auto defect) associated with the vehicle or due to the owner not checking brake fluid status on a regular basis. Many newer vehicles will alert the driver to low levels.
- Inclement weather: Bad weather is a major cause of losing control. There are two ways this happens. The first is when rain follows a dry spell. During the dry spell, oil builds up on the road. As the rain starts to fall, it creates a slick surface as it mixes with the oil. The second is when the rain is heavy, and the buildup of water on the road causes the vehicle’s tires to float on the water rather than gripping the road. This is called hydroplaning, and when this happens, the loss of traction causes both steering and braking to stop working.
- Worn brake pads: As time passes, brake pads become older and need to be replaced. Not doing this can lead to loss of braking power. If a vehicle owner fails to maintain his or her vehicle, leading to an accident, they can be found liable for a crash.
- Loss of steering: A defective steering apparatus will cause a vehicle to go out of control. A product liability lawsuit may be directed toward the manufacturer.
- Runaway acceleration: This is often the result of a manufacturer’s defect. In this case, you would be able to lodge a lawsuit against the maker of the vehicle. If a recall notice was sent and the driver did not have it fixed, they may be held partially responsible.
View the following video from ABC News, showing how hydroplaning happens:
How to Stop an Out-of-Control Vehicle
In order to prevent a Sacramento collision fatality, it is important to learn how to stop an out-of-control vehicle. Here are some details on how to accomplish this:
- Speed: Driving at a speed that exceeds the limit or is out of line under certain conditions can lead to loss of control.
- Lack of braking: If you press on the brakes and the pedal won’t depress, check to see if something rolled under it. If the pedal depresses, but you fail to slow down, try shifting into a lower gear. If neither method works, try using the emergency brake.
- Accelerator problems: Here again, look to see if the pedal is stuck. If it is, put your foot under it, and force it back up. Brake with your other foot at the same time. If not, it is probably a manufacturer’s defect. Place the gear in neutral, and brake slowly and consistently. If nothing works, turn the engine off to avoid a Sacramento collision fatality.
- Hydroplaning: When this happens, the best way out of it is to brake gently, remove pressure on the accelerator and head in a straight line. If you need to get off the road, turning your steering wheel in that direction will usually cause the car to follow. Be aware that hitting soft dirt or gravel can lead to a rollover if your speed is sufficient.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help
A car accident attorney can help by investigating the scene of the accident as well as checking for automotive recalls if the accident is due to a manufacturer’s defect. In some cases, the car maker may have had reports of this happening but neglected to issue a recall. By checking on both, the car accident lawyer will be setting the stage for assigning liability and building a strong case to get the compensation you deserve.
Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. If you or a loved one was hurt by an out-of-control vehicle, you may have the right to demand compensation. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. If you’d rather, you can reach me online.
I’ve helped numerous residents with all types of car accidents, product defects, and wrongful death to obtain the compensation they deserved.
I am a long-time member of the Million Dollar Advocates. We are a forum of trial attorneys who have won more than $1 million for a client.
Get to know a potential legal representative before you hire them. You can read reviews by my previous clients and by some of my peers as well as the ways in which I resolved other cases on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/ambulance-architecture-building-business-263402/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spaOeDD3rgo
:cd llo [cs 1,153] cv