Rear-End Crash on State Route 51
A Sacramento rear-end crash on March 9 caused an injury that resulted in one person going to the hospital. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident happened along State Route 51 southbound, just south of the P Street off-ramp in midtown at about 1:00 in the afternoon. The accident happened when a Porsche was rear-ended by a Mini Cooper, which blocked the number two lane. No information was released by the CHP about injuries suffered in the accident or whether alcohol or drugs played a part in the crash. At least one vehicle was removed from the accident site by a tow truck.
Rear-End Accidents
About one-third of all traffic accidents are caused by rear-end collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most of these accidents are avoidable. These numbers should improve as more and more vehicles are equipped with crash avoidance technologies. New technologies include automatic emergency braking, which can help avoid a rear-end crash, lane departure warnings and back up cameras.
Causes of Rear-End Crashes
When a driver who is behind you crashes into the rear end of your vehicle, they are normally held at fault. Some of the reasons a rear end crash can happen are:
- Speeding can cause a driver to be unable to slow or stop their car in time to avoid an accident.
- Fatigued driving can make a driver fall asleep or be too drowsy to react in time to avoid a rear-end crash.
- Aggressive driving or road rage can result in an intentional collision.
- Distracted driving such as texting or chatting with passengers can cause an accident of this type.
- Alcohol or drug use causes many varieties of auto accidents each year.
- Mechanical failure such as lack of maintenance or defective auto parts can contribute to an accident.
Rear-End Crash Injuries
While many rear-end crashes are at low speeds, this does not mean the occupants of the vehicle in front suffer only minor injuries. In addition, delayed symptoms can arise later that signify significant injuries. Some of the most common types include:
- Cervical strain or sprain, commonly known as whiplash, or additional injuries to the neck may heal quickly or may linger for months.
- Closed head injuries can range from bruises and lacerations to a coup-contrecoup or a diffuse axonal injury.
- Broken bones often include the extremities as a person braces for a crash.
- Back or spinal cord injuries may become chronic or result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Knee injuries are common and can be referred to as dashboard knee because it strikes this part of the vehicle’s interior.
- Traumatic head injuries can happen if the seat belt breaks and the individual strikes the windshield or steering wheel. Some of these injuries can be life-threatening or cause permanent damage.
- Internal bleeding or organ damage such as to the spleen, intestines or liver can occur and are often caused by the seat belt.
- Shoulder injuries are caused by the body straining against the seat belt in a collision.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Rear end crashes, even at low speed, can cause serious injuries. If you or someone you care about were injured in a crash, I would like to offer you my free and friendly advice. You can get in touch with me at (916) 921-6400 in the Sacramento area. Elsewhere in Northern California, you can reach me through the toll-free line at (800) 404-5400 or by using our convenient online contact page.
For 37 years, I’ve assisted the people of Sacramento in getting the compensation they deserve for traumatic injuries, different types of car accidents and wrongful deaths.
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Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_76576873_l-2015
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