Crash Causes Power Outage for 37,000 in Sacramento
A crash into a light pole in Sacramento left roughly 37,000 electric customers without power on October 15. The accident occurred at about 6:00 am, when a utility van left the road and drove onto the sidewalk where it hit the power pole at 68th Avenue and 24th Street, according to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The van’s driver’s side was wrapped around the pole, making it difficult to remove. Crews began working on restoring power soon after the crash. A tow truck, called in to haul the van from the accident site, was left waiting until it could be removed from the pole. The utility said that the pole will need to be replaced as well as all the wiring attached to it. Some SMUD customers were back online as crews rerouted the electricity through the grid. The van’s driver was reported to not have been injured in the crash. Updates indicated that all SMUD customers had electricity restored by 9:00 a.m.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
A single-vehicle crash is common. Some types of such accidents include run-off-road incidents, those involving road debris, rollover crashes, and collisions where the driver is trying to avoid hitting an obstacle such as an animal. In most cases, the crash is due to driver error, such as distracted or drunk driving or fatigue. However, sometimes, the crash is due to poor road conditions, bad street design, or inclement weather. Other reasons are oil or water on the road, making it hard for the driver to maintain control of their vehicle. Auto defects such as brake or tire failure can also cause a single vehicle to crash. One other issue is when another vehicle is involved in an accident, causing a driver to leave the road, after which the at-fault motor vehicle operator flees the scene. Finally, if the power outage caused harm to another person, it is possible that the driver or other entity may be responsible for damages.
Liability in a Single Vehicle Crash
In many cases, it is the driver who is responsible for the accident. If a pedestrian or a cyclist is involved, the driver will be responsible for all damages. But, what if the driver was not at fault. In such cases, the party responsible for any negligence that might have caused the crash will be expected to pay for all costs associated with the injury. For instance, if traffic lights are not working and the driver loses control of their vehicle and hits a pedestrian, the governmental agency will be held responsible.
Claim Against a Governmental Agency
Accidents occur when a government agency does not do their job. For example, the agency may be responsible for trimming foliage away from stop signs. If this is not done on a consistent basis, a driver may be unaware that he or she must stop and pull out into oncoming traffic. In this scenario, the agency caused the problem that led to the crash, and it is possible to file a claim against them.
There are different time limits for doing this. If a government agency is involved, rather than having two years to file a claim, the plaintiff has six months. After that, the agency has 45 days to respond. If they agree with the complaint, they will probably make every effort to settle. On the other hand, if the agency denies the claim, the plaintiff has six months to file a lawsuit. In some cases, the government agency will not respond. When this happens, the plaintiff has two years to file the lawsuit. Your injury lawyer will ensure that all documentation is filed properly and in a timely fashion.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
Your personal injury lawyer works to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve. At our firm, we send our investigative team to the scene of the crash. There, they search for clues that will establish negligence. Our protocol includes interviewing witnesses, obtaining video footage that captures the accident in progress, and reviewing police reports for accuracy. We also check common defects and lack of maintenance. Once this data is available to them, our legal team uses it to build a strong case in our client’s favor.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Whether a reckless driver, poor road conditions, or an auto defect causes your accident, I am here to help. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also contact me online.
For more than 37 years, I have helped Sacramento residents with common varieties of car accidents, wrongful death, and other traumatic injuries.
I am a member of the following organizations in addition to others:
Learn more about my practice by clicking on the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photography-of-man-repairing-electrical-wires-2898199/
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