Elderly Woman Injured in North Highlands Intersection Collision
A two-vehicle intersection collision that occurred on July 11 at Elkhorn Boulevard and Cantel Way left an elderly female lying on the ground and injured. The accident occurred at about 6:50 in the morning between Watt Avenue and Thomas Drive. The vehicles involved in the North Highlands intersection crash were described as a black minivan and a gray sedan. One of the vehicles ended up on the center divide. Authorities have not detailed the nature of the woman’s injuries at this time, although they were not life-threatening. The cause of the two-vehicle intersection collision is still under investigation. There is no word whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
How an Attorney Can Help
Determining who is at fault for an intersection collision is an important element of a personal injury case. Unfortunately, the evidence is often cleared quickly from the scene, and in some cases, witnesses are not interviewed by police. This can critically affect a case. That is why it is so important to call an attorney as soon as possible after a crash. Many individuals keep their attorney’s phone number in their cell phone for just this reason. At our firm, our investigators are sent out to the scene to search for evidence. They also review all pertinent reports to determine if errors have been made and search for video capture of the accident. This may come from CC-TV cameras on traffic lights or local businesses. Taken together, this information allows us to present incriminating evidence against the at-fault party. This is crucial to winning the case and being compensated properly.
Intersection Accidents
Statistically, 50 percent of all serious crashes occur at intersections as well as 20 percent of fatal accidents. The vast majority happen when one vehicle is turning. Two reasons that an intersection is so dangerous is due to its complexity and number of vehicles involved. Factor in the number of motorists who do not obey stop signs or red lights, and you’ll have some idea of why intersections have to be navigated carefully.
Do Traffic Controls Affect an Intersection Collision?
It would seem reasonable to believe that traffic signals and stop signs would affect the number of intersection accidents. Some studies suggest that this is not the case. Rather, the number of accidents in signal controlled intersections is almost equivalent to those without either signage or traffic lights. In one study, the number of deaths at an intersection with traffic signals was 35 percent, those with stop signs registered at 38 percent and crossroads with no control had fatal accidents 27 percent of the time. More traffic controlled intersection accidents occur in urban areas.
Types of Intersection Crashes
There are six main intersection accident types. The distribution varies from angle impact (left-hand turns) at 47 percent to sideswipe accidents, which occur about 2 percent of the time. In between are single vehicle intersection crashes at 30 percent, from behind accidents at 6 percent and opposite direction (head on) collisions occurring 15 percent of the time.
Older Individuals and Intersection Crashes
About 25 percent of fatal intersection collisions involve older individuals. The 75 to 84-year-old age range accounts for the highest number of accidents in crossroads. One explanation is that seniors have more difficulty navigating the complexity of an intersection.
Motorcyclists and Pedestrians
Motorcyclists account for 17 percent of all fatal intersection accidents. Pedestrians were involved in fatal intersection crashes slightly less at 13 percent.
Statute of Limitations
There is a time limit for filing a claim after an intersection collision. It is called the statute of limitations. It differs depending on whether the crash was between two civilian-owned motor vehicles or one where a government entity was involved. In the former, the injured party has two years from the time the accident occurred to file. If a government entity was liable for the crash, the injured party must file a claim within 6 months of the accident. Your attorney will ensure that you do not miss a deadline.
North Highlands Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a North Highlands car accident lawyer. Accidents can cause serious physical and financial problems. Obtain the insight a personal injury lawyer can provide by calling 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’ve helped North Highlands residents obtain the compensation they deserve in all types of car accidents and other traumatic injuries.
Learn about my practice by visiting the following pages:
I am a member of the following organizations:
- The Million Dollar Advocates: This forum is composed of lawyers who have won over $1 million for a client.
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel: Only the top 1 percent of attorneys nationwide who exhibit legal excellence in their practice are chosen as members.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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