One Person Dead After Ventura Run Off Road Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Ventura car accident lawyer. A crash in Ventura on July 15 along California State Route 126 caused the death of an individual resulting from a one-vehicle accident, according to a representative of the California Highway Patrol.
My sympathy and prayers are with the family for their loss of a loved one.
Details of the Crash
The details are somewhat sketchy. However, the car accident occurred shortly before 7:00 p.m. along the highway near Kimball Road when a vehicle, traveling east on the roadway, suddenly left the road, striking a fence and tree. No additional information is available as to the cause of the crash or whether there were other occupants in the vehicle.
Single Car Crashes
Single car crashes cause more fatalities versus the overall numbers of this type of car accident, resulting in rollover and run off road accidents. According to The National Transportation Systems Center, 8,000 individuals die annually from single car rollovers. Run off the road accidents account for more than 80 percent of rollover accidents.
Reasons Single Vehicle Crashes Happen
Analysis of data for all single vehicle crashes of all types show that they happen due to certain parameters. They are:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Driving on rural roads
- Curved roads
- Driving on roads with two lanes
- Vehicles with a full load of passengers
- Those with young or inexperienced drivers
- Drivers with performance issues such as sleepiness
Driver Age and Single Vehicle Crashes
Both young and old drivers share the highest number of crashes. For instance, young drivers account for 75 percent of all rollover crashes, largely due to alcohol consumption, speed and inexperience. Older drivers have 72 percent of rollover crashes in this age group.
Older drivers may have difficulty with vision such as peripheral vision, depth perception and reflexes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that increased numbers of accidents are seen after the age of 75. This does not reference all older drivers.
Road Environment
Roadway defects and alignment, lighting and weather play a big part in single vehicle crashes. Looking at roadway alignment statistics, curved roads have more run off road accidents than straight roads by a factor of 90 to 60 percent. This discrepancy indicates that greater care be taken on curved roads.
Run Off Road Accidents and Speed Limits
Speed limits are also a factor in run off road accidents. On roadways with a speed limit of 60 m.p.h., over 80 percent of crashes were run off road accidents. If the speed limit is decreased to less than 60 m.p.h., the incidence is lowered to 69 percent.
Divided Versus Undivided Roads
Undivided roads have a greater number of auto accidents versus divided roads. In addition, the number of lanes has an effect on the number of run off road accidents, such that more run off road accidents happen on undivided two lane roads.
Weather Conditions
Weather plays a part in single vehicle crashes. Inclement weather shows a higher number of accidents by a percentage of 76 percent compared to 70 percent for good weather. Lighting is also a factor in run off road accidents and 74 percent of run off road crashes happen at night compared to 66 percent during the day.
Related Information:
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Attorney Ed Smith
Ventura Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Ventura car accident lawyer. Please call me at (805) 372-0200 or at (800) 404-5400 if you or your loved one has suffered injuries in a car crash caused by a negligent driver. I offer free advice that is friendly during your time of need.
I am proud to have practiced as a California personal injury lawyer since 1982, helping those who have been injured or have lost a loved one with their traumatic injury cases or wrongful death cases.
The more information you have about a lawyer before calling, the better. You can find comments and reviews on my practice at Google and Yelp. Peer reviews and several additional comments made by previous clients are found at Avvo. You may also find my Verdicts and Settlements page of interest.
Million Dollar Advocates represents a group of trial lawyers with cases that have resulted in awards of $1 million or more for their clients. I belong to this group as a California member.
To learn more about personal injuries of all types, please check out my website at autoaccident.com.
Photo Attribution: 800px-FEMA_-_34115_-_Overturned_car_in_a_field_in_Tennessee.jpg
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