Multiple-Car Crash on Interstate 80
A multiple-vehicle crash along Interstate 80 on March 21 caused serious injuries to some of those involved. I want to extend my sympathy to those involved in the crash that their injuries will heal soon.
What Happened?
The accident occurred along I-80 in the westbound lanes near California State Route 113 at about 2:45 in the morning and was reported to have involved seven vehicles. Representatives of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the accident appeared to be at least partially weather-related since falling rain had caused the road to become slick. The crashes began when one vehicle was said to have struck a guardrail, which pushed it back into the road, where it either slowed down or stopped in the middle of the highway. The other vehicles involved in the crash struck that vehicle.
Minor & Serious Injuries
Police reported injuries in the chain reaction crash ranging from moderate to minor. No information has been released yet on the identities of those involved in the accident or the extent of their injuries. The reason for the accident is under investigation, and the CHP warned local motorists to slow down because of the adverse weather conditions.
Injuries From Multiple-Vehicle Accidents
Accident injuries caused by a multi-directional crash can be severe and are compounded by the speed the vehicles are traveling. Among those are traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord fractures as well as facial lacerations. Collisions from the rear can cause chest trauma as the driver or front-seat passenger crashes into the steering wheel or dashboard. Neck injuries such as cervical sprain or strain are also common.
Motor Vehicle Statistics for Davis and Yolo County
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 220 accident injuries and fatalities reported in Davis in 2015, an increase of 30 over the previous year. Yolo County showed 1,047 traffic accident fatalities and injuries in 2015. A number of them were undoubtedly along Interstate 80 and Highway 113.
Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Accident
Proving fault after a multi-vehicle accident is complex. It involves determining which driver behaved negligently. If a lead vehicle, driving on a rain-slicked highway at a higher than prudent speed, caused a situation where other vehicles struck that vehicle, the fault may be multifaceted. For instance, the lead vehicle may be at fault because it was speeding and lost control. However, the other vehicles may have been traveling at an incautious speed that interfered with their stopping in time, or the vehicles may have been following too close to the lead vehicle and not leaving a safe driving distance between vehicles.
Comparative Fault
California operates under the doctrine of pure comparative fault. That means that in a multi-vehicle crash, the fault may be assumed by several drivers. For instance, the lead driver may be 60 percent at fault for the crash, but another driver may be 40 percent at fault. Even if the second driver in this example was 40 percent at fault, he or she can still recover damages for the 60 percent of fault belonging to the lead driver.
Davis Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Davis car accident lawyer. Crashes that involved multiple vehicles can increase the number and severity of injuries, which may result in extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation. If you or your family member was injured in a crash, give me a call at (530) 392-9400 for my free and friendly advice. For those outside the Davis area, call (800) 404-5400 toll-free.
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For 36 years, I’ve assisted Davis residents and those in Northern California as an injury lawyer in recovering compensation for personal injuries, including wrongful death and brain injuries.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/traffic-site-road-highway-jam-3141926/
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