Motorcycle Patrol Officer Suffers Major Injuries on Highway 99
A California Highway motorcycle patrol officer was seriously injured on September 27 when his vehicle collided with a Dodge minivan as he was attempting to change lanes. He was transported to UC Davis Medical Center with major injuries. The accident happened on northbound Highway 99 in the area north of Fruitridge Road at approximately 6:15 in the morning. The CHP reported that the motorcycle patrol officer, who has not yet been identified, has been a member of the department for 10 years. Traffic was halted after two northbound lanes of Highway 99 near the accident site between Fruitridge Road and 47th Street were closed. The northbound lanes were reopened shortly before 10 a.m.
Details of the Accident
The officer, who was on routine patrol, was traveling in the fast lane when he attempted to move into the number 2 lane, not realizing that traffic had stopped ahead. He collided with the rear of a vehicle directly in front of him and was thrown from his bike, landing on the pavement. His motorcycle continued on down Highway 99 and was hit by a passing vehicle. The CHP officer was observed speaking at the accident site. Reports from Jim Young, a CHP South Sacramento spokesperson, said the motorcycle patrol officer underwent X-rays and a CT scan at UC Davis and that he was expected to recover.
Passing in Traffic
It is difficult for anyone to see what is happening ahead on a crowded highway with start and stop traffic. It is even more difficult for a motorcyclist due to their low profile. In many cases, a biker will be unable to see ahead and not be able to anticipate changes in traffic flow. Because of this, it is important to put plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front. If a sudden slow down in traffic occurs, it is possible to stop accordingly before rear-ending the vehicle in front of you. It is also better to change lanes in a step-by-step manner, beginning with using your turning signals ahead of the intended move. This gives drivers behind you ample time to slow down and allow you to enter. Be careful of drivers who try to keep you out of the lane by speeding up as soon as they see the turn signal. For motorcyclists, this can be more difficult because of their low conspicuity.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
Accidents happen quickly and sometimes amidst the confusion at the scene, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what happened. That is why we dispatch our investigative team to the accident site as quickly as possible. There they look for evidence of an at-fault driver’s negligence and interview witnesses to the crash. They also review police reports for accuracy and obtain videos of the accident if possible. In some cases, we use accident reconstruction techniques to obtain a clear rendering of the crash. Once this data is accumulated, our investigators hand it over to our lawyers who use it to build a strong case for our client.
Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need the insight an injury attorney can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. I can also be reached online by using our convenient contact form.
I’ve been helping clients in Sacramento and the surrounding area for over 37 years obtain the compensation they deserve in car and motorcycle accidents, traumatic injuries, and wrongful deaths.
I am proud to be a member of the following organizations:
- The Million Dollar Advocates: This organization permits membership only to those attorneys who have won more than $1 million for a client.
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel: Only those attorneys who provide the highest level of legal assistance to their clients are allowed in this organization.
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