Multivehicle Crash Involving Big Rig Near Pleasant Grove
A multivehicle crash occurred on March 29 near Sankey Road on Highway 99. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the accident involved seven vehicles. It started when a car heading south on the highway entered the northbound lanes and collided with a pickup. A big rig, traveling north on 99, also struck the pickup, which caught on fire. A third crash occurred in the southbound lanes, resulting in minor injuries. Traffic was halted for hours as the accident was cleared from the scene. The road reopened at about 10:00 a.m.
Rescuing the Driver
The driver of the pickup was rescued from his burning vehicle by two good Samaritans. One was an off-duty police officer who was at the scene. A paramedic also helped extricate the driver. According to the CHP, the driver was transported to a nearby hospital with serious burn injuries.
Head-On Collisions
Few accidents are as dangerous as a head-on collision. The force of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions and hitting one another is tremendous. The incidence of head-on collisions is low. When they happen, the injuries are often catastrophic and can lead to a wrongful death. Most of these accidents happen when one vehicle leaves its lane and travels into an opposing one. Sometimes, this is caused by an overcorrection.
Where Are Head-On Collisions Most Likely to Happen?
Head on-collisions often occur on rural roads where there is no separation between narrow lanes. While the traffic volume may be low, the speed at which the vehicles travel may be due to lower surveillance. This means that the greatest risk for a head-on collision is on two-lane roads away from urban areas. There are exceptions, for example, a vehicle that enters a highway in the wrong direction after entering the exit ramp.
Ways to Avoid Head-On Collisions
City and state agencies can help avoid head-on collisions by separating the lanes with the use of medians. According to experts, this will reduce the incidence of such crashes by 70 percent. There are three types of barriers that include semirigid, rigid and flexible ones. The latter include cable barriers.
Deadly Multivehicle Crashes
Multiple vehicle crashes happen most frequently on highways where the speed limit is higher. The incidence of serious injuries and death is high in such accidents. They happen most frequently in areas of low visibility and during inclement weather. However, overall visibility is not the only factor when the roads are icy. Areas of black ice can appear seemingly out of nowhere, particularly on curves.
Other reasons for a multivehicle crash is when one vehicle is following another too closely. Because the speed limit is high, if the lead vehicle slows down or stops, the vehicle to the rear may not be able to stop in time. Due to the traffic volume, a chain reaction crash may result where one of the two vehicles strikes a third or more.
Recovering Damages
It is complicated to determine who is at fault for an accident when many vehicles are involved. This is where an injury lawyer can help. Using crash reconstruction, it is possible to trace how the accident started and why. Sometimes, two vehicles or more can be partially responsible for the crash. In such cases, the doctrine of comparative fault in California allows most of the drivers to recover damages. The amount of compensation will be reduced by the driver’s responsibility in the crash. So, if one driver is 60 percent responsible, he or she will be able to collect 40 percent of their damages. The other driver, who is 40 percent liable, will be able to obtain 60 percent of theirs.
Consequences of a Multivehicle Crash
A multivehicle crash is dangerous due to the fact that people may be trapped in their vehicle. In addition, emergency personnel may not be able to reach the accident due to roadway congestion. The number of injuries is affected by the number of impacts a vehicle sustains. The initial impact effect may be lessened by the deployment of airbags. However, subsequent strikes will not have this protective feature. Side impacts are also common as is fire. The sides of some vehicles lack the safety devices present in the front and rear of a vehicle, making it more vulnerable.
Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento truck accident lawyer. If you were injured in a multivehicle crash, you may need the help of an attorney. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. If it is more convenient for you, you can reach out to me online also.
I’ve helped many residents recover the damages they deserve in car accidents, wrongful deaths, and other personal injuries.
I am a long-standing member of the Million Dollar Forum. This group awards membership to those who have won more than $1 million for a client. I am also a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel where attorneys who provide legal excellence to their clients are included.
Learn about my practice using the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/road-jam-vehicles-highway-traffic-3417235/
:cd llo [cs 870]