Crash on Watt Avenue May Have Involved an Impaired Driver
A two-vehicle crash in Sacramento on September 22 is being investigated by police to see if drunk driving was involved. The accident occurred around 11:33 in the morning along Watt Avenue, where it intersects with Las Pasas Way. It involved a Chevy Silverado and a Volkswagen Passat. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) noted that one of the vehicles appeared to be turned around the wrong way. However, it is unknown at this point whether the vehicles were traveling in the same or opposite directions.
Toxicology Called in Two-Vehicle Crash
Valley toxicology was contacted to test one of the people involved in the crash. It has not yet been released whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the accident. The CHP is in the process of conducting an investigation to determine how the collision happened and to assign fault. No information was released on serious injuries from the accident.
Drunk Driving Leads to Serious Accidents
Twenty-nine people each day die in accidents caused by drunk drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2018, more than 10,500 people died, and many more were injured from the 1.6 million traffic collisions that involved an inebriated driver. Accidents caused by drunk drivers include:
- Head-on collisions: There are several ways a drunk driver can cause a head-on collision. An inebriated driver has problems staying in their lane and can accidentally cross into another motorist’s lane, which can cause a two-vehicle accident. Because the drunk driver has their judgment and vision affected, they can end up going the wrong way on a one-way street or highway. In addition, they may fall asleep at the wheel, which can cause the vehicle to go into another lane.
- Rear-end crashes: Because a drunk driver can no longer judge distances correctly, it can end up causing a rear-end collision.
- Accidents with pedestrians: Since a drunk driver has their vision impaired, it can become more difficult for them to spot a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
- Sideswipe accidents: When turning or just driving, the intoxicated driver may have difficulty staying in the lane and end up causing a two-vehicle crash by sideswiping another car.
- Passing unsafely: Since a drunk driver has problems with judgment, reflexes, vision, and coordination, passing another vehicle can have deadly consequences.
Negligence in a Two-Vehicle Crash
To place a claim for injury damages following a two-vehicle crash, the injured person must prove that the accident caused the injuries. It also must be shown that the at-fault person did not behave as a reasonable motorist would, that their negligence caused the crash and that it was the cause of a financial loss. This is where the services of a personal injury lawyer come in. I have successfully handled many of these cases over the years.
Investigating an Accident
In a case that involves a drunk driver, a conviction for the offense is good evidence. Additional evidence collected by our investigators includes checking the police report for errors and interviewing witnesses who may have seen the driver being erratic. Accident reconstruction is performed, and camera footage is sought. When the evidence is gathered, our lawyers use it to build a strong compensation claim.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. When a negligent driver causes injuries in an accident, the people who suffered physical harm may place a compensation claim for their losses. You can contact me at (916) 921-6400 for free and friendly advice or (800) 404-5400, which is toll-free. An online message form is also available to get in touch.
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It is an honor for me to have helped Sacramentans for 38 years to obtain injury compensation for traumas, all types of traffic collisions, and wrongful deaths.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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