SR 99 Accident Involves Four Vehicles and Results in Injuries
A multiple-vehicle accident in Elk Grove on January 20 resulted in two people being transported to a hospital with injuries. The collision occurred on State Route 99 northbound just south of the Grant Line Road off ramp around 2:34 in the afternoon. According to the report filed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), four vehicles were involved, including a Ford sedan and Ford pickup.
Accident Investigation Being Conducted to Determine Cause
Upon the arrival of first responders with the Sacramento Fire Department, it was determined that further evaluation of injuries was required for several people, and they were taken to a nearby hospital. The multiple vehicle accident is being investigated to find out how it happened and to place fault.
Multiple-Vehicle Accidents
When two or more vehicles are involved in a highway crash, the risk of considerable injury is high. This is partly due to the speed of the vehicles as well as highway congestion. The danger is amplified because a vehicle can be struck more than once. This affects the use of safety devices such as airbags found in most vehicles.
For instance, an airbag deploys only once, leaving the driver or passenger unprotected if a second impact occurs. In addition, drivers sometimes cause broadside accidents as they try to move out of the way of a collision ahead. All of this adds up to a critical situation since it is difficult for emergency rescuers and police to reach the accident site. In more severe cases, drivers who are injured have to wait for an extended period of time before they can be helped.
How Does a Multiple-Vehicle Accident Occur?
The most common way an accident involving multiple vehicles occurs is a rear-end collision. This often happens during rush-hour or when there is construction on the highway, both of which lead to stop and go traffic. If one of the drivers is distracted by talking on a cell phone or looking at a text, they might miss seeing that the traffic ahead has slowed. Unfortunately, it only takes a few seconds for a vehicle moving at 60 mph to travel the length of a football field. Having a vehicle at that speed plowing into a traffic slowdown can result in major injuries.
Dangers of Rear-End Collisions
While rear-end collisions are common and often overlooked as a significant source of roadway injuries, it is just the opposite in many cases. As the driver to the rear impacts with the vehicle in front, the head and neck of the driver and passengers snap back and forth in a whiplike fashion. Depending on the intensity of the impact, this can lead to cervical strain and sprain as well as herniated disks and nerve damage. Symptoms of this kind of injury can persist anywhere from six months to several years. In the case of a herniated disk or nerve damage, surgical intervention is often needed.
Following a Multiple-Vehicle Accident Injury
Accidents that involve multiple vehicles can be complicated, and when injuries occur, drivers will scramble to try and avoid liability. This is one of the reasons it is so important to have an experienced injury attorney at your side to defend your rights to compensation and collect the evidence needed to prove fault. Our lawyers have successfully handled many cases that involve multiple vehicles and can do the same for you.
Investigating a Multiple-Vehicle Accident
Our investigators go quickly to the accident site to gather the information needed to support a client’s claim. While there, they review the police report to ensure its accuracy and talk to witnesses. In addition, a forensic reconstruction of the multiple-vehicle accident is performed, and the investigators check for traffic cameras that might have captured it on video. Once all the evidence is compiled, our injury lawyers take over to build a strong case for our client.
Elk Grove Car Accident Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m an Elk Grove car accident lawyer. When you’ve been injured in a multiple-vehicle accident, you may benefit from the advice of a lawyer. Give me a call at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. I can be reached online also.
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Since 1982, I’ve helped Elk Grove residents in obtaining the compensation they deserve for traffic collisions, traumatic injuries, and wrongful deaths.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-clash-rome-highway-2165210/
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