Two-Vehicle Accident on River Road Sends Two People to the Hospital
Several people were transported to a hospital following a two-vehicle accident on September 22, southeast of Elk Grove. The collision occurred in a T-bone accident between an Audi and Honda CRV around 7:25 in the evening along River Road. The accident blocked the slow lane for some time until the scene was cleared.
Drunk Driving Might Have Contributed to the Accident
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) report, neither vehicle was movable, and tow trucks had to be called. Emergency responders transported both individuals involved in the crash to Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center for additional evaluation. Police believe that drunk driving might have been a factor in the crash. The CHP is investigating to determine the cause and to assign fault in the two-vehicle accident.
T-Bone Accidents
Roughly 24 percent of fatal accidents are T-bone crashes. This type of accident commonly happens at intersections. But, they can happen on highways and rural or urban streets. A characteristic feature of a broadside accident is that the driver or passenger is separated from the other vehicle by a door and a window, which usually lack safety protection. Unlike a frontal collision, there are usually no airbags or an infrastructure that provides a measure of protection for the occupant.
In some T-bone accidents, particularly at higher speeds, due to the lack of space, the door frame can crush into the vehicle’s midsection after the impact. This contrasts with several feet of space between the front of the vehicle and the driver in front-end crashes. Passengers in the back in a T-bone accident, because they are belted in, can experience severe trauma.
Newer Vehicles Have Side Airbags
Although some companies are using side airbags on newer vehicles, it is not required by law. It is expected that in the future, side airbags will be mandated. Experts believe that the use of side-airbags will drastically reduce the number of chest injuries.
There are two types of side airbags. One is called a torso airbag, and the other is a curtain airbag. The former is often attached to the seat, and the curtain airbag descends from the car’s ceiling, protecting the person’s head.
Injuries in a Side-Impact Two-Vehicle Accident
The most common injuries are:
- Head injuries: These range from traumatic brain injuries to lacerations and eye damage from pieces of glass.
- Neck injuries: The impact can cause serious neck injuries such as cervical strain or herniated disks.
- Chest injuries: This common injury in a T-bone accident can result in fractured ribs and damage to the heart and lungs.
- Abdominal injury: Due to the impact and the seat restraints, abdominal organs can easily be damaged in a broadside collision.
- Pelvic injuries: These include fractures of the pelvis or femur fractures.
Investigating a Two-Vehicle Accident
A conviction for drunk driving is good evidence that an at-fault motorist was negligent. Our investigators look for additional evidence to support our client’s claim, such as interviewing witnesses and checking for mistakes in the police report. In addition, they look for video footage of the two-vehicle accident as it happened from nearby surveillance cameras.
Additional Investigative Techniques
Accident reconstruction is performed, which can show the vehicles’ motion, the way they impacted, and can point to negligence. Photos are taken of the entire scene, including the vehicles. The investigators don’t stop there. They check for signs of government negligence from weakened or old guardrails to crumbling shoulders, poorly marked lanes, and others.
Once the evidence is gathered, our lawyers use it to build a case for our client’s compensation. In that way, their personal injury damages such as medical costs, wages lost from being unable to work, and pain and suffering can be reimbursed.
Elk Grove Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove, personal injury lawyer. If your accident injuries were caused by negligence, I might be able to help you obtain compensation. Call for my free and friendly advice at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400. An online message form is available also.
I’m a proud member of:
For over 38 years, I’ve helped Elk Grove residents get fair compensation for their traffic accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumas such as brain injuries.
You can find out more about my law firm below:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
:cd llo [cs 746]