Fair Oaks Boulevard Accident Causes Major Injuries
Major injuries due to an accident on Fair Oaks Boulevard were reported by authorities on Monday, June 24. The Sacramento Police said the crash occurred in the Arden Arcade section of the city in the vicinity of University Avenue at about 12:30 in the afternoon. Traffic was halted in the eastbound lanes of Fair Oaks Boulevard as police investigated and cleared the scene. At this time, there is no word from police why the accident occurred or if alcohol or drugs were involved.
Intersection Crash Statistics
With 2.5 million intersection accidents annually, navigating through an intersection is dangerous and often results in major injuries. About 40 percent of all accidents occur at intersections. Overall, 50 percent of intersection accidents lead to serious injuries, and 20 percent are fatal. Red light runners account for 165,000 accidents in intersections, and those with only stop signs are considered even more dangerous.
Causes of Intersection Accidents
Some of the most common causes of intersection accidents are:
- Negligence in the intersection
- Reckless driving, leading to major injuries
- Running a red light
- Failure to look before turning
- Inadequate notice that an intersection is coming up
- Ignoring a stop sign
- Tailgating with the intention of avoiding a red light
- Distraction caused by talking on a cell phone or texting, resulting in failure to monitor traffic
- Speeding when approaching an intersection
- Failing to visualize pedestrians
- Bad weather, which affects visibility
- Poor intersection design
- Faulty lights
- Hidden stop signs due to foliage overgrowth
Why Do Intersection Crashes Lead to Major Injuries?
Drivers face major injuries when they are involved in an intersection crash. One of the reasons for this is that intersections have a constant flow of traffic. They force drivers into close proximity with other motorists who are reckless, drunk, or distracted. T-bone accidents are common in intersections, and they have a high rate of major injuries associated with them. This is due to the lack of protection on the side of a motor vehicle. When an accident such as this happens at a busy intersection, the vehicle that is thrown off course can collide with other vehicles. A vehicle that is broadsided with enough force may overturn.
Speeding Can Make an Intersection Accident Worse
Many reckless drivers speed through an intersection. It is well known that by increasing speed, an accident has graver consequences. A driver traveling at a speed over 40 mph when hitting another vehicle has a much greater risk of killing or seriously injuring the occupants. If both vehicles are moving at an increased speed, the incidence of major injuries is increased even more. Pedestrians suffer the greatest damage due to a speeding vehicle when crossing an intersection. For instance, a pedestrian’s risk of major injuries reaches 10 percent when a vehicle is traveling 16 mph. The risk increases at higher speeds:
- 25 percent risk of serious injury at 23 mph
- 50 percent risk at 42 mph
- 75 percent risk at 50 mph
- 98 percent risk at 58 mph.
As the pedestrian’s age increases, their risk is the same as a younger person at a higher speed. For example, a 70-year-old man hit by a vehicle traveling 25 mph suffers the same risk as a 30- year-old struck by a car at 35 mph. This is due to the older person’s frailty.
How to Make Intersections Safer
There are ways an intersection can be made safer. They are:
- Use of clear road markings and visible signage
- Installation of red light cameras to catch those that race through the intersection without obeying traffic lights
- Adjustment of signal timing
- Use of sensors that trigger cameras to capture the vehicle and license plate anytime a car runs a red light at an intersection
- Improved lighting at intersections
- Increasing the time that pedestrians have in the crosswalk before motorists are allowed to turn
- Use of speed bumps or rumble strips that slow traffic
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. If you have been injured in an intersection accident, resulting in major injuries, you need the insight an injury lawyer can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online.
I’ve helped other residents obtain fair compensation for all varieties of car accidents, wrongful death, and traumatic brain injuries, among others.
I belong to the two outstanding organizations listed below:
Learn about my practice at the following links:
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