Accident on US 50 Caused by Disabled Car on the Highway
A disabled vehicle caused a major collision accident in Sacramento on January 14. The accident was reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) around 1:49 in the afternoon along eastbound US 50 just west of the Bradshaw Road on-ramp. The disabled vehicle, which was described as a minivan, had stalled in the lane and was struck, involving four to five other vehicles.
Sigalert Issued After Multiple-Vehicle Crash
The minivan then rolled from the slow lane to the number one lane. According to the report, parts were flying off the vehicle, and lanes one, four and five were blocked by the multiple-vehicle collision. A Sigalert was issued by police warning motorists to use caution and alternate routes when possible.
Injuries were reported in the accident, although no details were given. It took about an hour for the roadway to be cleared. The CHP is investigating the stalled vehicle collision to find out what happened.
Disabled Vehicles
A disabled vehicle can cause significant problems on the highway. Vehicles that stall in the middle of the highway often result in multiple collisions. Broken down vehicles on the shoulder of the road can also cause an accident, evidenced by the number of crashes that occur. The driver of the disabled vehicle may be held liable for any accident injuries or fatalities if he or she did not take measures to warn other drivers. This may include raising the hood of the vehicle, putting on hazard lights, and setting out flares or other warnings.
Reasons Why Broken Down Vehicles Are Involved in Accidents
The speed of vehicles on a highway contributes to accidents with a disabled vehicle. This is because drivers might not notice that the vehicle has stopped and continued on at the same speed instead of slowing down and putting on their flashers. In some cases, the driver of a stalled vehicle is unable to safely exit the car to open the hood or put out flares due to traffic congestion.
On top of this, a distracted or drunk driver may not be able to avoid a collision. Other reasons collision avoidance doesn’t occur can be inclement weather, low visibility due to fog, or a large vehicle or truck blocking the driver’s view.
Other Factors
Darkness or poorly lit roads can also be a factor. This may impede other drivers from seeing that the operator of the disabled vehicle has exited the car. In addition, roads that are designed poorly may lead to a collision.
Responsibility for a Collision
To assign responsibility, care must be taken to ensure that the driver of the disabled vehicle made all efforts to maintain it as directed by the manufacturer. Sometimes, however, despite this maintenance, the vehicle may become disabled due to a manufacturer defect. This could involve engine problems, a defective tire, or other things. When a defect is the cause of a breakdown, the responsibility for accident injuries is placed on the manufacturer. A product liability lawsuit can be filed to claim damages.
Investigating a Disabled Vehicle Accident
At our law firm, we do everything we can to gather the evidence that is necessary for a successful conclusion of the case. In an accident involving a disabled vehicle, we send our investigators to the scene so they can interview witnesses and obtain any video footage of the collision that might exist. We also examine the vehicle for manufacturer defects that could have led to the crash. This is why it is important to preserve the vehicle.
Our investigators also use accident reconstruction techniques to determine liability and review police reports for inaccuracies. Once this information is gathered, the data is presented to our injury attorneys, who use it in constructing a strong case for our client.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Sacramento car accident lawyer. If you’ve been in an accident due to a disabled vehicle and were injured, I am here to help. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or from long-distance at (800) 404-5400 for my free and friendly advice. I can also be reached online.
I’ve helped many clients in the past 38+ years obtain the compensation they deserve in all types of car accidents, traumatic incidents, and wrongful deaths.
You can learn about my practice by visiting the following pages:
I am proud of being a member of the organizations listed below:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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