Intersection Accident in Arden Arcade
An intersection accident occurred on December 19, 2019, at the corner of Whitney and Eastern avenues in Arden Arcade at about 5:48 p.m. The collision, which resulted in a suspected head injury to a 5-year-old girl, involved a Nissan pickup and an Infiniti sedan. The injured juvenile was the daughter of the Nissan’s driver. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Sacramento Fire Department were called to the scene. An ambulance was requested by emergency responders to transport the child to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Both vehicles were located on the right side of the road. An investigation is underway to determine why and how the intersection accident happened. There is no indication as to the time of this report that drugs or alcohol were involved.
Intersection Accidents
According to the Federal Highway Administration, there are 2.5 million intersection crashes annually. Such accidents are responsible for approximately 20 percent of all fatal traffic collisions and 50 percent of all serious crashes. Because of the increased risk of injury to pedestrians, motorists, and bicyclists, traffic laws are used to control vehicle flow at intersections. Disregarding these laws is a type of negligent behavior that opens the driver up to a lawsuit by the injured party. Such behavior commonly includes running a red light or failure to yield the right of way.
Frequent Reasons an Intersection Accident Happens
- Not waiting when a traffic light turns red: Many drivers, especially those who are speeding, pass through a red light without stopping. This is a serious breach of the duty they owe to motorists and others in an intersection and is considered a form of negligence. This often happens because the driver is in a hurry, or they are distracted and don’t realize the light has changed.
- Failure to yield the right of way: Of all intersection accident causes, this is one of the most common. For example, a pedestrian crossing the street at an intersection has the right of way. A motorist is obligated to allow the person to pass before proceeding, especially in a crosswalk. However, many drivers ignore this rule and believe it is the pedestrian’s responsibility to watch and wait for them.
- Speeding: Often, drivers will increase their vehicle’s speed to hurry through an intersection on a yellow light. However, it also happens when the driver disregards speed limits or is not paying attention. One of the major problems here is that the driver will lose the ability to control their vehicle or stop in an emergency.
- Fatigued driving: Many motor vehicle operators are fatigued when they get behind the wheel. This causes them to have a slower reaction time and to easily be confused in a busy intersection. The takeaway here is that a driver should rest before attempting to drive.
- Drunk driving: Overall, drunk driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. The motorist who is impaired by drugs or alcohol lacks the critical skills to react appropriately and judge the distance and speed of an oncoming vehicle.
- Distracted driving: Playing with the radio or texting are common causes of an intersection accident. This inattention is dangerous, and it is best to turn the phone off or set the radio before leaving.
- Poor intersection design: Some intersections have a faulty design. This includes a lack of clear lane designation or visibility. When this happens, the government agency in charge of designing the intersection can be taken to court. The rules for suing a government agency are different than those in other personal injury claims. Your attorney will ensure they are followed properly.
What an Attorney Can Do
It is important to gather evidence in a timely manner in an intersection accident. Our firm dispatches investigators to the accident scene to search for evidence of negligence, interview witnesses, review police reports for errors, and obtain surveillance camera video footage. Once this is done, the evidence is given to our legal team to build a strong case for our client.
Arden Arcade Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Arden Arcade car accident lawyer. Call our office at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident. You can also reach out to me online.
I’ve helped many clients get the compensation they deserve in all types of auto accidents, traumatic injuries, and wrongful deaths since 1982.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
To learn more about my practice, please use the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/rescue-worthy-brave-awareness-3252271/
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