Crash on Highway 50 Causes Major Injuries
I’m Ed Smith, a West Sacramento car accident lawyer. A crash between two vehicles on August 21 along Highway 50 caused serious injuries. The California Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident. However, driving under the influence has been ruled out as a factor.
What Happened
The accident happened shortly after 10:00 in the evening along the eastbound side of the highway near Harbor Boulevard. According to a representative of the CHP, the accident involved a Dodge and Chevy Malibu, with major to moderate damage reported to the front of the Chevy. One of the accident victims reportedly suffered a fractured leg, and paramedics at the scene of the crash confirmed major injuries. One lane of Highway 50 was closed while the crash site was cleared.
Incidence of Car Accidents
The population density has a direct impact of the number of car accidents. With roughly 40 million people statewide, California had 2,925 fatal crashes in 2015 with 3,173 deaths, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That translates into 8.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
The highest number of fatalities were those involving car accidents followed by pickup/SUV crashes. Motorcyclists were third in the number of riders killed in accidents. Single-vehicle crashes produced the most fatalities followed by multiple vehicle accidents by a slim margin. Roughly half of those killed had known BAC results. Overall, the number of fatal accidents were equally divided between rural and urban locations.
Assigning Liability in a Car Accident
When someone is killed in a car accident, it is important to determine who acted negligently. By proving negligence the injured person can receive compensation for their injuries. Using the reports filed by the police or a crash reconstruction expert are helpful. An experienced car accident lawyer has access to such reports and other ways of determining fault in an accident.
Police Report
In a fatal crash, the police are called to the scene and file a report detailing the officer’s determination of fault. If the at-fault driver was impaired, the law enforcement officer might place the individual under arrest. Other infractions may result in a citation. Regardless, the existence of violations cited in a police report can be instrumental in proving fault.
Accidents With Probable Liability
There are types of accidents where liability is often guaranteed. For instance, a rear-end accident. In such cases, it is presumed that the at-fault driver did not maintain a safe distance from the lead vehicle. Although the lead vehicle may suddenly slow or stop, the car behind should be prepared for any eventuality and at a distance that would allow for a safe stop. If the front vehicle had broken signal lights or brake lights, the driver may be partially responsible for the accident. Since California is a true comparative negligence state, even if the driver is partially responsible for an accident, it is possible to collect damages based on the degree of fault.
One other type of accident in California is a left-turn accident. The driver turning left is usually responsible for a crash with an oncoming vehicle. An exception might be when the oncoming driver suddenly speeds up or passes through a red light.
Wrongful Death
Family members of the decedent suffer not only emotional loss but also financial trauma. In such cases, a wrongful death lawsuit can help the family pay for end-of-life services, including burial and funeral expenses. Talking to an experienced attorney about a wrongful death lawsuit will make getting through this horrifying time monetarily easier.
West Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, and I am a West Sacramento car accident lawyer. Auto accidents cause serious injuries that can require a long period of recuperation while medical bills and lost time from work mounts. If you or your family has suffered an injury because of negligence, please phone (916) 921-6400 for my advice, which is friendly and costs nothing. If you are outside the calling area, you can call (800) 404-5400.
For 35 years, my experienced injury lawyer team and I have assisted those in the Northern California area, including West Sacramento and Yolo County, in receiving fair compensation in their wrongful death cases and for their traumatic injuries.
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