Driver Loses Control of Vehicle and Hits Guardrails
A single-vehicle crash in Elk Grove on April 20 caused minor injuries. The accident happened on northbound SR 99 just south of the Grant Line Road off-ramp around 5:51 p.m. when the driver of a white Lexus 300 lost control of their vehicle for unknown reasons. The incident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the Lexus went off the roadway, struck a guardrail, and ended up facing in the wrong direction and blocking both lanes.
Authorities Determining Cause of the Single-Vehicle Crash
Four attenuators were damaged in the crash. Those will have to be replaced by Caltrans since they would provide no protection to drivers in further accidents. Fortunately, the driver only suffered minor injuries. The CHP is attempting to find out why the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed.
Why a Single-Vehicle Crash Occurs
Most of the time, a single-vehicle crash is the result of driver negligence. In most cases, the driver is speeding and loses control of their car, or they are distracted, overly fatigued, or have been drinking. However, there are other occasions where a single-vehicle collision occurs because of an outside influence. When this happens, the injured person may be able to place a claim to recover compensation to pay for their medical expenses, wages lost from the inability to work, and to reimburse them for their pain and suffering. These outside influences include:
- Road conditions: When a government entity fails in its responsibility to maintain a roadway, they may be held liable for accident injuries. Some of the problems that can cause an accident include upheavals in the pavement, potholes, poor overhead lighting, and others. However, the statute of limitations for filing against a government entity is only six months from the time the accident occurred. If a claim is filed after that date, the court will refuse to hear it. Contacting an injury lawyer to help with the paperwork and ensure the claim is filed in a timely manner can be helpful.
- Auto defects: Auto recalls are common due to defects. For example, a defective tire that blows out, brakes that fail, or an accelerator that sticks can easily lead to a single-vehicle crash. Retaining the vehicle after an accident is important so that it can be examined by engineers to determine if an auto defect was present and led to the accident. If a defect is found that did cause the single-vehicle crash, a product liability claim may be placed against the auto manufacturer and others in the line of production. In an auto product liability claim, negligence by the injured party does not have to be shown, only that the defective part was unaltered and used in the way it was intended.
- Hit-and-run or aggressive driver: When an accident scene investigation is being conducted, it can be determined if a hit-and-run driver was the cause of the crash. Often, this is found because there are paint marks, dents, or metal pieces not belonging to the injured person’s vehicle. In other cases, an aggressive driver can force another vehicle off the road by crowding them or striking the back of their car. Sometimes, this can be determined by looking at area traffic camera footage.
Elk Grove Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove car accident lawyer. Not all traffic collisions are due to a mistake or negligence on the part of the driver. If the injuries in your accident were caused by another’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation. Contact us for free, friendly advice at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400. You can ask questions, have your case reviewed, and see how you can receive compensation by setting up a free consultation. It does not obligate you in any way. You can also contact us online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
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