Interstate 5 Multiple Vehicle Accident in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento accident lawyer. Recently Interstate 5 was the scene of a late day multiple vehicle crash that closed down part of the freeway.
Details About the Accident
At 6:45 in the evening, four vehicles were reported to be involved in an accident on I-5 in the area past the Sacramento airport heading south, according to the California Highway Patrol. First responders from the fire department were needed to remove one driver trapped in her Honda. Only the driver of the Element was reported to have suffered serious injuries. She was taken to the medical center at University of California at Davis for treatment. Authorities said that two other individuals were injured, however, further detail was not provided.
Dangers of Multiple Vehicle Accidents
Such accidents occur most often on freeways where the speed limit is 55 or greater. Commonly they occur in bad weather when visibility is at a minimum. Due to the impact strength, multiple vehicle accidents can be disastrous for those involved.
Causes of a Multiple Vehicle Accident
Bad weather and speed are the two leading causes of multiple vehicle accidents. Snow, rain or fog all decrease a driver’s visibility, making it difficult to drive safely. Speed, sometimes inappropriate for highway conditions, makes it almost impossible to stop on short notice. In addition, some drivers display poor judgment when gauging the distance from one vehicle to another or another vehicle’s speed when trying to change lanes or pass.
Not only does poor visibility affect driver safety but so do other weather-related conditions such as black ice or rapidly freezing roadways when temperatures suddenly drop. Flash floods have a somewhat similar effect in areas where this is common. When one crash occurs on a busy, high-volume freeway, subsequent crashes are probable since drivers have little leeway in terms of avoidance. As more vehicles become involved, it lays the groundwork for additional accidents.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end crashes are common, and approximately two million rear-end crashes occur in the United States annually. A study at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that 88 percent of all rear-end crashes, which account for 25 percent of all crashes, involved a problem with a lead vehicle. Out of this percentage, 59 percent of accidents occurred when a lead vehicle stopped while only 22 percent happened when the lead vehicle slowed down. Drivers who rear-ended the vehicle in front often failed to brake 47 percent of the time. Data from the study demonstrated that drivers who failed to stop were often distracted or not applying proper visual attention to the roadway. When a rear vehicle struck the vehicle in front, distraction accounted for 87 percent of accidents. In addition, drivers whose visual focus was not on the roadway in front of them took 600 milliseconds longer to brake than drivers whose attention was forward directed.
Common Injuries in Multiple Vehicle Accidents
While injuries can range from minor to those of a more serious nature, certain injuries are more common.
Sacramento Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento accident lawyer. When you are in a multiple vehicle accident or a family member dies due to negligence in such an event, please call me for friendly and free advice. I can be reached in Sacramento and the surrounding area at (916) 921-6400. My toll-free number is (800) 404-5400 for those outside the calling area.
For 35 years since 1982, Sacramento and Northern Californians have trusted my legal team and me to protect their rights and make sure the compensation they receive is just and appropriate for their traumatic injury and wrongful death damages.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/car-accident-roadside-cloudy-car-1921347/
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