Fatality Reported in S.R. 49 Head-On Crash
A head-on crash involving two vehicles in Grass Valley on January 17 resulted in a fatality and major injuries to another person. The fatal collision occurred around 5:48 p.m. on northbound S.R. 49 at its intersection with La Barr Meadows Road and involved an SUV and pickup. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that one person died at the accident scene.
Intersection Closed Down for Investigation Into Head-On Crash
Another person involved in the accident suffered major injuries and was transported to a hospital for additional care and evaluation. The southbound intersection was shut down as well as the number one lane northbound. All lanes were reopened around 7:26 p.m. An investigation is underway by the CHP to determine fault in the head-on crash.
Causes of a Head-On Crash at an Intersection
Head-on collisions are a dangerous and sometimes fatal type of car accident that can occur at an intersection. In these types of crashes, two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with each other in a frontal impact accident. The primary cause of head-on collisions is often driver error, such as the following:
- Failure to yield: When approaching an intersection, all drivers are expected to observe right-of-way laws and allow other vehicles with the ability to pass first. If one driver fails to yield, a collision can occur.
- Running a red light or stop sign: Traffic lights, stop and yield signs are all in place to ensure the safety of drivers. When drivers fail to obey these signals, a collision can result.
- Distracted driving: When drivers are distracted, their reaction time is slowed, and they may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid a collision. Common distractions include texting while driving, talking on the phone and adjusting the radio or GPS.
- Speeding: When approaching an intersection, drivers must maintain a safe speed to ensure that they have enough time to react to changing conditions. Driving too fast can reduce reaction time and increase the crash risk.
- Impairment: Drivers who are drunk or on drugs are more likely to make reckless driving decisions, and their reaction time is severely slowed, which can result in a head-on collision.
Investigation of a Head-On Crash
The importance of evidence in the successful conclusion of a case is something we at our firm take very seriously. The information we need is collected by our investigative team at the accident site. Upon arrival, they speak to witnesses, obtain video footage from nearby businesses’ surveillance cameras and scrutinize the police report for errors.
In addition, they will conduct accident reconstruction techniques in order to determine liability based on the placement of the vehicles during the accident. The collected data is then sent to our legal team, which uses it to build a persuasive case against the negligent party.
Grass Valley Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, and I am a Grass Valley personal injury lawyer. When your loved one died or you were injured in a traffic accident that was someone else’s fault, you might want to find out if you can recover compensation. Call (530) 392-9400 to speak with our friendly and experienced accident attorney. Our long-distance phone number is (800) 404-5400, and you can contact us online as well. We can meet with you in person or virtually for a free consultation. You can discuss your accident case with us during that consultation, and we can answer any questions you have about recovery options.
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Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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