Driver Suffered Major Injuries in Foothill Farms Accident
A car accident on Roseville Road and Diablo Drive left a driver with major injuries on November 21. The accident happened at 6:45 in the morning when the vehicle was trying to pass on the right-hand side. Witnesses said that the lanes were not blocked. The passing vehicle struck an electric pole. There is no word at this time about the nature of the driver’s injuries or why the car accident happened. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is in the process of investigating the crash to understand why it occurred.
Passing on the Right in California
California has rules about when and how one vehicle can pass another. Passing on the right is permitted under strict circumstances. A vehicle is allowed to pass on the right only when a driver is on a road with two or more lanes going in the same direction as they are. The motorist in front of the vehicle must be turning left when attempting to pass on the right. In addition, going off the road to pass is not permitted. It is also possible to pass on the right on a one-way street.
Hitting an Electric Pole in a Car Accident
It is very dangerous to hit an electric pole with your vehicle. The danger is not limited to the damage the impact can cause but also to the presence of electric wires. Live wires carry the risk of electrocution. It is important to know what to do if your vehicle is surrounded by live electric wires:
- Since the vehicle will become live with the same voltage as the electricity in the line, it is important to stay in your car. Since metal objects inside the car may be conducting electricity, it is best not to touch the frame and remain still with your hands on your lap.
- Warn others that they should not approach the vehicle. Everything within eight meters of the vehicle is electrified, so getting too close can lead to electrocution.
- Call 911 and wait for the power to the lines to be shut off.
- If the vehicle is on fire, you need to jump out of the vehicle without touching the frame.
- Hop to a distance of about 50 feet, keeping your feet together. Walking with your feet apart will allow a surge of electricity to pass up one leg and down the other and might kill you.
Liability in a Downed Electric Pole
Accidents where a utility pole or wires fall on a vehicle happen often. The question of liability in such incidents can be challenging. If the pole fell and hit a vehicle parked under it, then the liability is probably on the utility company. Problems such as pole rot under the ground surface can and is often to blame. But, what happens when a vehicle strikes an electric pole causing it and its wires to tumble on the car? Even here, the utility company may be at fault. First of all, the impact needed to cause the pole to snap would have to be substantial. Secondly, the placement of the pole is a major factor in determining liability.
How Does Liability Work in Such a Case?
The pole needs to be strong enough to withstand inclement weather conditions. This means it needs to be in good shape. For instance, if the pole is exposed to termites or has developed dry rot due to the soil conditions, it may be weaker than it should be. This could make it possible for the pole to snap if a vehicle hits it, even at a slow speed. Now, what about placement. There is a minimum distance an electric pole should be placed from the curb. In highly vulnerable areas where traffic is heavy, or curves are present, it can be further than the minimum. So, if the pole was placed closer to the curb, it could be dangerous if someone collides with it. In such a case, the plaintiff could argue that the light pole should have been relocated for safety.
What Our Law Firm Does
We send out a team of investigators to the site of the accident. They look for clues as to why the accident happened. They also measure the distance of the light pole from the curb and whether it is in a high traffic volume area. Our investigators will check to see how many accidents occurred in the area too. We interview witnesses to the accident, obtain video footage if possible, and review police reports for errors. Once evidence is gathered, we send it to our legal team. They use it to build a strong case for our client.
Foothill Farms Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Foothill Farms car accident lawyer. If you have been injured in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach out to me online.
As an experienced injury attorney, I’ve helped residents with car and truck accidents, wrongful deaths, and pedestrian injuries since 1982 obtain the compensation they deserve.
I belong to the following organizations, among others:
If you would like to learn more about my practice, please go to the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/power-line-electricity-transformer-482546/
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