Rear-End Collision on Connector Route in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento auto accident attorney. An accident on March 25 between two vehicles in South Sacramento occurred at the connector between Highway 50 and State Route 99 North, causing injury.
What Happened?
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash happened around 1:15 in the afternoon when a black Nissan Maxima collided with a gray Toyota Corolla at the beginning of the entry ramp onto the highway in a rear-end type of collision. One injury described as minor in nature was reported as a result of the crash. Both vehicles were quickly moved to the right-hand side, out of the way of traffic. The Nissan was reported to have major damage to its front end, while the Toyota sustained rear-end damage. Tow trucks were called to attend to the disabled vehicles. No further information has been released on the injury to one person.
Rear-End Collisions
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that collisions in the rear are responsible for close to 30 percent of vehicular accidents. About 60 percent are caused due to driver error. As more smart driver assistance technologies and self-driving cars are moving along our roadways, rear-end collisions may become less frequent. For now, it is vital to learn why they happen and how to avoid them.
Reasons for Rear-End Accidents
Common reasons rear-end collisions happen are:
- Speeding: This makes it less likely the driver will be able to stop in time if traffic conditions change.
- Drowsy driving: Closing their eyes for even a second can cause a driver to miss potential problems. By the time the driver is aware of them, it may be too late to stop.
- Distracted driving: Fiddling with the radio, texting or eating are all reasons a driver may look away from the road.
- Brake failure: Defective brakes can cause a driver to be unable to stop, leading to a rear-end collision.
- Inclement weather: Fog or rain can limit the driver’s view of the road, causing a rear-end collision.
- Traffic slowdowns: Sudden slowdowns in traffic on busy highways can make it impossible to get out of the way. With nowhere to go, a rear-end crash can be inevitable.
- Road rage: Anger can lead to a driver aiming his or her car at the rear of another vehicle. This can lead to criminal charges.
- Aggressive driving: Being in a hurry and speeding up when it would be more prudent to slow down often leads to rear-end crashes.
- Tailgating: It is important to leave distance between vehicles. The rule of thumb is one car length for every 10 miles of speed. That means traveling at 65 mph, 6.5 car lengths between vehicles is desirable.
- Drunk and drugged driving: Impaired driving is a major cause of rear-end collisions since both alcohol and many drugs decrease reaction time. Both also interfere with a driver’s judgment of distance.
How to Prevent Rear-End Collisions
Driving prudently is a major way to prevent rear-end collisions. But what happens if you are the lead vehicle? There are a few things you might do:
- Move away from a vehicle that is tailgating you.
- Slow down when you see traffic slowing in front of you. Stepping on the brake lightly and releasing it can signal to someone behind you that there is a problem ahead. Don’t keep your foot on the brakes.
- Routinely check brake lights.
- Don’t engage in a road rage argument with another driver. If someone is acting that way, move away from them.
- If someone is driving aggressively, let the driver pass you after you move to a slower lane.
Sacramento Auto Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento auto accident attorney. There are times when caution is not enough to prevent an accident, and people are seriously injured or killed. Under these circumstances, you need the experience of an injury lawyer. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 anytime for friendly and free advice.
Over 36 years, I’ve been helping the Sacramento community with their personal injury cases. I’ve helped with wrongful death claims too.
Before you retain us, get acquainted with our legal practice at:
I’ve won settlements and verdicts exceeding $1 million for clients. The legal forum, Million Dollar Advocates, invited me to join due to these accomplishments.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/crash-car-car-crash-accident-1308575/
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