Pickup Truck Accident on Route 50
A pickup truck accident occurred on U.S. Route 50 eastbound, just west of 34th Street on December 16. It happened shortly before 2:00 in the afternoon and sent three people to a hospital. The collision involved a Ford Ranger and Ford F-150 and blocked the number one and two lanes. It was severe enough to make one of the pickups undrivable. Other motorists stopped to assist, and ambulances were called for the injured people. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), all three were transported to the UC Davis Medical Center. No information has been released as to the identities or conditions of the injured persons at this time. Whether alcohol or drugs was a factor in the crash is also unknown.
How an Attorney Can Help Following a Pickup Truck Accident
While some pickups are capable of sustaining damage while protecting those riding inside, others are not. An experienced car accident lawyer can help by examining all the evidence in a case to determine exactly how the accident happened and who was at fault. In the event the accident injuries were caused by a fault in the vehicle, a claim may be filed against the manufacturer for damages. If the accident was caused by a negligent driver, a claim may be filed against them to recover compensation that will pay the injured person’s medical bills and for the pain and suffering, and lost time from work.
Pickup Safety Lags Behind Other Vehicles
Pickup trucks are much more common on the roads than they were years earlier. In 2016, it was reported that 2.7 million new trucks were sold, which accounted for 15 percent of all new vehicles. Although they are being equipped with all the bells and whistles of other motor vehicles, due to construction, they are rigid and do not perform as well as cars. When involved in an accident, instead of the crumpling of the vehicle taking the majority of the impact, that energy is transferred to the truck cabin and can cause serious injuries to those inside.
Risk of Rollover in a Pickup Truck Accident
Because pickups have a higher center of gravity, they are more likely to experience a rollover than many other vehicles. People are also commonly ejected from the vehicle. So while pickups may feel safer because of their size and elevation compared to cars, they aren’t necessarily going to protect you in a crash. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, pickup truck rollover accidents account for about 44 percent of all fatalities. The types of collisions include:
- 38 percent died when their pickup was in a head-on collision
- Rear impact accounted for rollover deaths of 4 percent
- Side impacts resulted in 34 percent of pickup rollovers
- Fatalities caused by pickup truck rollover accidents accounted for 33 percent when no impact was involved
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. When you or someone you care about is injured in a traffic collision, it can be a time of stress and worry over how expenses caused by the crash will be paid. When that accident was caused by the negligent actions of another person or entity, as they are 95 percent of the time, you may be able to collect compensation to pay those outstanding bills. Please phone me at my office at (916) 921-6400, and I will be honored to give you free and friendly advice. In addition, I can be reached at (800) 404-5400 or contacted through the short online form at AutoAccident.com.
During my 36 year career as a personal injury lawyer, I’ve represented many Sacramento residents and those from elsewhere in Northern California in cases involving all types of car accidents, brain injuries, and wrongful deaths to obtain fair compensation.
Million Dollar Advocates is a forum representing trial lawyers around the country who have won either a settlement or verdict for a client in excess of one million dollars. I belong to this group as a California member.
Learn more about my law firm by visiting the following sites to see client reviews and some of the cases we have handled and how they resolved:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_51823105_l-2015
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