Driver Injured in Sunrise Boulevard Off-Ramp Accident
An off-ramp accident causing a major injury happened in Rancho Cordova on October 10. The collision happened just before 8:00 a.m. on the Sunrise Boulevard off-ramp from eastbound U.S. 50. A pickup reportedly exited the road and overturned, ending up in a ditch on the right-hand side, as reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Driver Transported to Hospital With Major Injury
The motorist was unable to exit their vehicle, and passersby stopped to try and get the driver out. Upon the arrival of medics with the Sacramento Metro Fire District, it was discovered the patient had suffered a major injury in the crash, and he was transported to a hospital for further treatment. The accident is being investigated by the CHP to discover how it occurred.
Many Accidents Happen on Highway Exit and Entrance Ramps
Highway ramps are where many highway accidents occur. Some of the reasons are because a driver is unfamiliar with a road, tries to change lanes while on the ramp, drives too fast or tailgates another vehicle. Off-ramp accidents often include a run-off-road crash, rollover or sideswipe collision. Because of the close proximity of the vehicles on the ramp without any way to avoid a collision, serious injuries are common.
Rollovers in an Off-Ramp Accident
A rollover is one of the most dangerous accidents and can cause the most severe injuries. The airbags deploy in the initial impact, and seat belts hold the passengers securely in place. However, the airbags deflate quickly, which provides those inside with no further protection against injuries. In addition, even though a seat belt withstands 1,000 pounds of force, if a defect exists, it can come unbuckled or break, increasing the severity of injuries.
Dangers of Roof Crush in a Rollover
When a vehicle experiences a rollover during an off-ramp accident, another hazard is the possibility of roof crush. This occurs when the body of the vehicle crashes down on the occupants inside, reducing their survivability space, because the roof of the vehicle isn’t strong enough to hold. Even though roof strength requirements by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards mandate auto manufacturers to construct their vehicles to support 3.5 times the weight of the vehicle, not all of them abide by this requirement. Roof crush often causes catastrophic injuries or fatalities, including:
- Trauma to the spinal cord
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Blood loss
- Broken bones
- Damaged internal organs
- Nerve damage
- Amputation
The Importance of Retaining a Vehicle After an Accident
In any type of injury accident, but especially one that involves a rollover, the vehicle should be retained and not destroyed. This is so engineers can examine the vehicle for auto defects and signs of roof crush. An auto defect cannot only cause an accident, but it can also contribute to serious injuries, and an injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. If it is discovered that a defect caused those injuries or fatalities, the injured person or family may file an auto product liability lawsuit to recover damages from the manufacturer and potentially others in the production line.
Rancho Cordova Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Rancho Cordova car accident lawyer. When you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in an off-ramp accident, you may benefit from legal advice on whether you can file a claim for compensation. You can contact us at (916) 921-6400 or long-distance at (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, we can be reached by filling out the online form instead.
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For 38 years, my team of injury lawyers and I have helped Rancho Cordovans obtain the compensation they deserve for cases involving wrongful deaths, all types of traffic accidents, product liability claims, and more.
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Photo attribution: Photo by Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash
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