Accident at Walnut Avenue Intersection Sends One Person to the Hospital
A two-vehicle crash in Carmichael on October 29 caused injuries to at least one person at a local intersection. The collision occurred shortly after 8:00 a.m. at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Thor Way between a construction Ford F-250 pickup truck and sedan, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The collision forced the pickup to crash into a tree with two people inside.
Cause of Intersection Two-Vehicle Crash to Be Determined
One of the people in the pickup was transported by medics with the Sacramento Fire Department to Kaiser North Sacramento Medical Center with undescribed injuries. The northbound lanes of Walnut Avenue remained blocked while investigators determined which driver caused the two-vehicle crash.
Determining Fault in a Two-Vehicle Crash
In some two-vehicle accidents, it’s fairly simple to determine fault. For example, when a vehicle is tailgating and the light suddenly changes to red at an intersection, and the car in front stops and the one behind it doesn’t, it’s reasonable to assume the second vehicle is at fault for the collision. However, not all intersections accidents are that clear, so an investigation is usually conducted to determine which vehicle caused the collision. Some of the ways a two-vehicle crash at an intersection occurs include:
- A driver runs a red light and T-bones another vehicle legally passing through the intersection. Witnesses and traffic camera footage can support the claim of the injured party whose vehicle was broadsided.
- A motorist makes a left just as the turn arrow changes to red. This results in a two-vehicle crash with an oncoming car from the other direction. Just as drivers making a turn may not do so safely because the light has just turned or is about to change, other drivers press the gas to go the moment it does, which doesn’t take into account those already in the intersection.
- An illegal U-turn is made by a motorist. Because this interferes with the normal flow of traffic and other motorists don’t expect it, a two-vehicle crash occurs.
- A driver makes a right turn without a clear view of traffic. Drivers are mainly focused on other motorists and naturally look left when making a right on red. This may be complicated by not having a clear view because other vehicles have pulled too far forward or are too big to see around. If their view isn’t clear and the driver risks the turn, they can end up in a two-vehicle crash.
- Failure to yield can lead to an accident, especially at a four-way stop without traffic lights.
- Failure to use turn signals can cause a two-vehicle crash because other motorists won’t realize what another driver is doing.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Personal injury lawyers use investigators to collect the evidence needed that supports a client’s claim for compensation. Some of the ways in which evidence is collected are:
- The investigators go directly to the site of the accident to take photos and collect evidence, including the locations where the vehicles impacted, any paint marks, and dropped metal pieces.
- The witnesses are interviewed, and the report filed by the police is examined for accuracy.
- Intersection traffic cameras are examined to see if the accident was captured on film.
- Accident reconstruction is performed, which can demonstrate fault.
Carmichael Car Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Carmichael car accident lawyer. If your accident injury was the result of a negligent driver, you might be able to place a claim for compensation to recover your financial losses. Phone us for our free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. An online form to contact us is available also.
Since 1982, my law firm has successfully handled many cases that involve all types of traffic accidents, wrongful deaths, and other claims.
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Photo attribution: Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
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