Multiple Injuries Reported in Chain-Reaction Accident
A chain-reaction pileup on Highway 4 on April 1 resulted in 14 injuries with four listed in critical condition, including a child. Five ambulances and four helicopters arrived at the scene to transport the victims of the crash to hospitals for medical care.
What Happened?
The pileup occurred on the highway near A Street, east of the on-ramp at Lone Tree, at about 6:20 p.m., when a Toyota with four persons inside were forced to stop because a vehicle bumper in the roadway was blocking the lane. A minivan crashed into the Toyota. The chain reaction that ensued resulted in at least four vehicles crashing into each other. According to a Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire District spokesman, the vehicles were spread across all the lanes on Highway 4, and people were lying in the roadway. Westbound lanes on Highway 4 were closed and reopened at about 7:48 p.m., according to a spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol.
Injuries in the Accident
Ten of the 14 injured persons were hospitalized as a result of the crash. A child who was injured critically was taken to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland by helicopter. Two of the other critically injured victims were taken by a helicopter to UC Davis Medical Center. The fourth critically injured victim was taken to a nearby trauma center by ambulance.
Chain-Reaction Accidents
Drivers are expected to use caution when driving and follow the rules of the road. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a driver needs to be able to see ahead about one-quarter mile on highways to have the amount of time needed to make a quick lane change or stop fast. In addition, a driver needs to watch for brake lights in vehicles ahead, a signal that the driver ahead is slowing or stopping.
Proving Negligence
Drivers involved in a chain-reaction accident may be liable for a percentage of the negligence that caused the car accident. Many factors in determining negligence come into play, including the accident report filed by the police, evidence at the scene, including vehicle damage and skid marks, and eyewitness accounts.
Antioch Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, an Antioch car accident attorney. If you or a family member has been injured in a collision caused by a negligent driver, call me at (925) 428-5220, or you can call my toll free number at (800) 404-4500 for free and friendly advice. If you prefer, reach out to me via this online contact form, and I will get back to you promptly.
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Image Credit: https://pixabay.com/en/jam-autos-traffic-road-night-1776490/
Source of Chain-Reaction Accident: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/04/01/4-car-crash-shuts-down-wb-highway-4-in-antioch-at-least-14-hurt/
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