Five Vehicles Involved in Multiple-Vehicle Collision Near Kiefer Boulevard
A multiple-vehicle collision along Watt Avenue in Sacramento injured three people on May 7. The collision involved a minimum of five vehicles, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
It happened near Kiefer Boulevard at around 2:10 in the afternoon. Emergency responders arrived at the accident scene to assess injuries, and the three people were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment. The CHP is investigating the multiple-vehicle collision to assign fault and determine how it happened. There is no word at this time whether drugs and alcohol were involved in the multiple-vehicle collision.
The Causes of a Multiple-Vehicle Collision
A negligent driver can initiate a multiple-vehicle collision involving two or more other vehicles. When this happens on a high-speed thoroughfare, the crash can have devastating consequences, resulting in traumatic brain injury, amputation and wrongful death. Some frequent reasons these crashes occur are listed below:
- Speeding drivers are unable to stop in time when traffic slows. Traveling over the speed limit also causes the driver to lose control of his or her vehicle, run a red light, or hit the rear of a car in front of them.
- Inclement weather leads to accidents, especially when drivers do not slow down to accommodate the conditions or keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Fog, ice and rain are often cited as adverse weather conditions.
- Drunk drivers lack the cognitive ability that governs reaction time, alertness, and basic reasoning. Drinking and driving is a surefire way to cause a multiple-vehicle collision.
- Falling asleep at the wheel or feeling drowsy can lead to a multiple-vehicle accident.
- Rear-end collisions are a frequent cause of a multiple-vehicle collision. By staying too close to the car in front, the driver is unable to stop in time and can push their vehicle into the lead vehicle, causing a chain reaction.
- Many motorists are distracted when they drive. This can involve texting or talking on a cell phone, eating or playing with the GPS monitor. By taking their focus off the road, such drivers easily cause a multiple-vehicle collision.
- Construction zones are a prime area where multiple vehicles can crash into one another. Often due to speeding, these accidents are also caused by the narrow and awkwardly positioned paths through the zone. If the construction crew mismanages traffic flow, the owner of the construction company or the government agency in charge can be held liable.
- When another driver is pulled over or an accident occurs, many drivers pay attention to what is going on instead of the road. This is called rubbernecking and causes many accidents.
Types of Multiple-Vehicle Accidents
There are three basic types of multiple-vehicle collisions:
- Highway collisions: This is the most dangerous type of multiple-vehicle crash due to the speed of the vehicles and the number of cars that can be involved.
- Intersection accidents: Whether running a red light or failing to yield, intersection crashes can lead to an accident between several vehicles.
- Rear-end collisions: This type of accident often involves three or more cars due to the fact that multiple vehicles are lined up either in traffic or at a stop sign or traffic light.
Inspecting a Multiple-Vehicle Collision
Because of the number of vehicles involved, it is often challenging to determine where the fault lies. That is why we send out our investigators promptly. They will gather video footage of the crash, showing it in real-time and speak to witnesses. Using accident reconstruction techniques, the investigators will be able to see how the vehicles were positioned before, during, and after the crash. We also review police reports for mistakes. Once all information is gathered, the investigative team releases it to our lawyers, who use it to build a robust case for our client.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Call me if you have been in a multiple-vehicle collision at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. Reach me online if that is more convenient for you.
I’ve helped Sacramentans for over 38 years in wrongful death cases, many varieties of car accidents, and other traumatic injuries.
I am a proud member of the following organizations:
Learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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