Rollover Accident Kills Six-Year-Old Near El Dorado Hills
A child died in a car accident 10 miles south of El Dorado Hills on June 16. Law enforcement and emergency responders were at the scene after the crash to investigate the accident and care for the injured. The minor was in a vehicle with her father when the crash happened. I would like to offer my condolences and prayers to the child’s family in this time of sorrow.
Details of the Accident
The accident happened in a rural part of El Dorado County near Latrobe Road and Throttle Lane. The 50-year-old father was in the vehicle with his daughter, 6, who was in the back seat. According to a representative of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Placerville, the vehicle’s tires on the passenger side hit the soft dirt on the shoulder of the road. The father attempted to steer to the left to direct the vehicle back on the road but overcorrected, causing the car to roll over. The motor vehicle ended up in a ditch by the road.
Investigation in Progress
The roadway was closed as the CHP cleared the scene, and traffic flow was resumed shortly afterward. An investigation into the crash is still ongoing as of the time of this report. There was no indication early on that drugs or alcohol were involved.
Injuries in the Accident
The father and his daughter were wearing seat belts when the crash occurred. The child was said to have suffered critical injuries. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital but died a short time later. The father suffered only slight injuries in the accident.
Rollover Accidents
All types of vehicles can roll over, but those with a high center of gravity are more prone to do so. Aside from the type of vehicle, driver error, and roadway conditions play a big part.
- Speed: Speeding has an enormous impact on rollover accidents. Of all rollover crashes, four out of 10 involved driving at an excessive speed. In addition, rollovers happen more frequently on roads with a speed limit of 55 or greater.
- Vehicle effects on a rollover: Tall vehicles with a narrow width are the most common type to roll over This includes pickups, vans, and SUVs.
- Rural roads: Roads that are in rural locations are the site of 75 percent of all rollovers. Such roads often do not have a median or guardrail on the side. This enables a vehicle’s tires to enter areas with gravel or soft dirt that can lead to a rollover.
- Impaired driving: About 50 percent of all rollovers include a driver who is impaired. This affects the driver’s judgment and their ability to stay within their lane and on the road.
- Single vehicle accidents: About 85 percent of all rollover crashes involve only a single vehicle.
- Driver error: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 85 percent of rollover accidents that are fatal occur during routine driving procedures. This means that driver error is involved.
- Distracted driving: Drivers who look elsewhere such as at a phone or a GPS unit while driving has a greater incidence of leaving the roadway, leading to a rollover crash.
- Auto defects: Tires that fail can lead to a rollover accident as a vehicle’s stability is affected. When this happens, the manufacturer can be held accountable for the accident. Other defective parts such as the steering mechanism and brakes can also be involved.
El Dorado Hills Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an El Dorado Hills car accident lawyer. If you or a loved one was harmed in a rollover accident, you need the help an experienced injury lawyer can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can reach me online also.
I’ve helped numerous residents of El Dorado Hills and those in the Northern California area with all types of accidents and wrongful death claims.
I am a member of the milliondollaradvocates.com. We are a forum of trial lawyers who have won in excess of $1 million for clients.
You might want to know more about me and my practice before retaining my firm. Go to the following pages to see reviews by clients and peers and some cases I resolved for others:
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