Major Injuries Occur in Accident on Fiddyment Road
The driver of an SUV and their passenger suffered serious injuries in a head-on collision near Roseville on September 23. The accident happened, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) incident report, along Fiddyment Road, which is near Sunset Boulevard. The head-on collision was referred to as partial since the vehicles did not entirely crash together on their front ends.
Drug Use May Have Played a Role in the Head-On Collision
The accident happened when the SUV swerved from the southbound over to the northbound lane and then partially collided with a tractor-trailer. Both of the SUV occupants were trapped inside their SUV and had to be extricated by the fire department. No report was issued on what hospital the injured patients were transported to. Police said that drug use may have been a factor in the cause of the collision.
Head-On Collision Statistics
Head-on collisions are not common, but when they happen, the chances of a fatality are high. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in 2017, 58 percent of frontal collisions resulted in a fatality. This type of accident is seen more frequently in rural parts of the country where two-lane roads are common and police surveillance is less.
Reasons for a Head-On Collision
As with any type of accident, the reason it happens is varied. Here are some of the most frequent reasons for a frontal crash:
- Drunk driving: A driver intoxicated with alcohol is commonly unable to maintain their lane, often weaving in and out. Drunk drivers also travel at a higher speed and are unable to rely on their reflexes to to avoid a crash.
- Drugged driving: Driving while using drugs has become common in California and the rest of the country. Drugs rob the motorist of the ability he or she needs to drive safely. Drugged drivers often become confused and have a good deal of difficulty avoiding a head-on collision.
- Distracted driver: Drivers who focus on electronic equipment in the vehicle, become engrossed in a conversation with fellow occupants, or use their cell phone to send and read texts are more likely to be involved in a head-on collision.
- Passing another vehicle: There are laws that govern safe passing on the road. Many times, a reckless driver chooses to not obey the laws and hits another vehicle head-on. This also happens on a curve in the road since the passing driver may not be able to see an approaching vehicle. That is why passing on a curve is prohibited. A traffic violation can be used to prove fault, so reviewing the police report is always a good idea.
Investigating a Head-On Collision
Our firm sends our investigative team to the accident site as soon as possible. We check for evidence of liability by using accident reconstruction techniques. We check the police report for errors, search for defective auto parts and interview witnesses to the head-on collision.
Our investigators also search for government signage that counsels drivers against passing or warning of a curve ahead. If no signage is present, a claim can be made against the city. If surveillance cameras are operational in the area, we obtain footage of the head-on collision, a valuable factor in proving liability. Once all the evidence is gathered, our legal team uses it to build a robust case against the at-fault defendant.
Roseville Car Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Roseville car accident lawyer. When you’ve suffered an injury because of a negligent driver, you might want to consider filing a claim for compensation. You can contact us for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We also offer an online message form to contact us.
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The legal team at AutoAccident.com is proud to have helped obtain fair compensation for many Roseville residents since 1982, including all varieties of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and others.
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