Multiple Injuries Reported in Daycare Out-of-Control-Driver Crash
An out-of-control driver who crashed into a daycare caused injuries to the 19 children inside and one teacher in Shasta County on March 3. The accident happened in Anderson at the Great Adventure Christian Preschool on Balls Ferry Road around 2:30 p.m. When the collision occurred, two members of the staff and 19 children were in the building.
Multiple Children Injured by Out-of-Control Driver
When officers with the Anderson Police Department arrived at the scene of the out-of-control driver accident, one of the children was discovered pinned underneath the Suzuki SUV that caused the accident. All 19 children were transported to hospitals, most as a precaution. A staff member was also injured and hospitalized.
Injured Children Taken to Multiple Hospitals
Nine children were transported to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, where all but two were treated and released after being injured by the out-of-control driver. Three others were transported to Red Bluff to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, where they were later released from the emergency room. According to the incident report in the Redding newspaper, hospital officials said that two of the children from the preschool had been transported to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and were admitted to the intensive care unit. However, no further information about their condition has been offered.
Motorist Remains at Scene of Out-of-Control Driver Accident
The remaining children were released to their parents, according to Jon Poletski, the police chief, and also taken to hospitals. The two people in the SUV at the time of the out-of-control driver crash, including the female who drove, remained at the accident scene and were cooperating with police in their investigation.
Neither alcohol nor drugs were believed to be a factor in the accident, and no one was placed under arrest. The area of Balls Ferry Road between Martha and Oak Streets was closed to await a power and gas shutdown in the building.
What if the At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Enough Insurance?
When a motorist does not have enough insurance to cover injury to multiple individuals, an uninsured/underinsured policy may come to the rescue. This add-on policy is popular for drivers since so many motorists are underinsured. In California, injured individuals struck by an underinsured driver can use their UI/UIM coverage if they or a family member residing in the same home as the injured party has one. Check with your insurance agent to see if you have this coverage and the limits.
How Does Uninsured/Underinsured Insurance (UI/UIM) Work?
When purchasing insurance, a driver can buy a UI/UIM policy. A driver’s minimum auto insurance in the state is $15,000 for bodily liability damages to a single person and a maximum of $30,000 to all individuals in a single accident. A driver can purchase higher amounts of insurance.
In California, unlike other states, the UI/UIM insurance will cover damages caused by an underinsured/uninsured driver up to the limit of the insurance purchased by the injured person. The UI/UIM insurance covers the driver and his/her family, whether the accident involves a motor vehicle crash or a pedestrian/bicycle incident. People are often unaware that Uninsured/Underinsured Insurance protects them or family members even when they are not in a vehicle. They can be on a bicycle or walking as pedestrians on the street. Feel free to call our office if you have questions about this issue.
Negligence Is a Common Cause of Vehicles That Go Out of Control
Driver error is the most common reason for a motorist to lose control of their vehicle and is responsible for between 94 and 95 percent of all accidents, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Common causes include:
- Placing the vehicle in the wrong gear
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigued driving
Other causes can include:
- Poor roadway maintenance caused by a negligent government entity
- Auto defects such as the brakes, accelerator, or steering
- Animals in the roadway
- Debris or dropped cargo from a passing vehicle
Recovering Compensation Following an Accident Injury
When you’ve suffered an injury because of a negligent driver, you have the right to claim fair compensation. At AutoAccident.com, we have successfully handled many claims over the years. Our attorneys and staff members treat our clients as though they were members of our own families. We understand the trauma you are going through and work hard to at least ease your financial burden. Recoverable damages include:
- All medical costs associated with the accident, including continuing care if the injury is permanent or ongoing
- Lost wages from the inability to work
- Pain and suffering, which is not only the physical trauma but the psychological and emotional problems caused by the accident
Anderson Personal Injury Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, an Anderson personal injury lawyer. When a negligent driver causes injuries, the injured party may wish to find out if they can place a claim to recover compensation. You can call us for our compassionate, free, and friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. An online message form is also available. We can answer your questions, review your case, and explain options to recover damages.
We are honored to be members of the following groups, which we feel shows how dedicated we are to helping our clients:
At the links that follow, you can discover how our injury lawyers have helped others get the compensation they deserve:
Photo attribution: Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
:cd llo [950] EAS bw