One Killed in Single Car Accident on Interstate 5
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. One person died in a single car accident on Interstate 5 in Sacramento on Friday, March 30, 2018.
What Happened?
The auto accident happened just before 5 am Friday morning. The driver was traveling on northbound Interstate 5 near the West El Camino Avenue off-ramp. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) (CHP) said it appeared the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a guardrail, then went several more feet and hit an exit sign before rolling over onto its side.
The Crash Scene
Fire crews tried to get the car back on its wheels but faced a few challenges. There were some complications due to a gas line near the guardrail where the vehicle hit. Crews worked diligently around the tricky gas line and eventually were able to get the car back on its wheels.
Did the Crash Impact Traffic?
The accident did not impact the morning commute because fire crews were able to work quickly to move the vehicle off to the right shoulder of the freeway. Traffic moved through the accident scene without a problem.
How Did the Accident Happen?
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Police investigators are trying to determine whether drugs or alcohol was a factor in the crash. Investigators are also looking into whether distraction or fatigue played a role too. The investigation usually takes up to several weeks to process.
The Police Report Process
The turnaround time on a police report depends on:
- The responsible police agency
- The seriousness of the injuries
- Whether criminal activities like a DUI was involved
In this case, since the accident happened on the freeway, the CHP will handle the investigation and provide the report. The CHP usually completes the report within days. An attorney can obtain the report in less than a week.
Causes of Single Vehicle Accidents
There are many different causes of single vehicle crashes. The most common include:
- Driving Under the Influence – Driving drunk or high can alter a driver’s judgment. Impaired drivers lose reasoning and muscle coordination.
- Fatigue – Drowsy driving is also dangerous. Studies show it can be just as dangerous as impaired driving.
- Distraction – Texting or searching for something in the car while driving takes the driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding – Driving above the speed limit can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and can result in a crash.
- Weather Conditions – Rain, snow, and ice can make the road conditions very dangerous.
- Mechanical Failure – A blown-out tire or defective brakes in the vehicle can cause a single vehicle accident.
- Objects in the Road – Debris or animals that suddenly appear on the road.
- Roadway Defects – Defective and hazardous road conditions cause single vehicle accidents resulting in serious injuries and deaths.
Wrongful Death Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith an experienced Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. If you or a family member has been involved in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. I can also be reached online at my website AutoAccident.com.
I’m a proud member of the Million Dollar Forum, an organization comprised of top lawyers in the United States who have negotiated and won verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million for clients. You can view my past Verdicts and Settlements.
I’ve been helping Northern California residents, including those in Sacramento, with wrongful death and personal injury cases for the past 36 years. Please see what my clients are saying about our law firm at:
Image courtesy of www.pexels.com: Kat Smith
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