Rollover Accident on Interstate 5 South Traps Driver in Vehicle
A rollover accident in Sacramento on April 24 resulted in one person being transported to a hospital with injuries. The collision occurred along northbound Interstate 5 south of Del Paso Road at around 3:44 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In addition to the CHP, Sacramento Police and Fire Department responders arrived at the scene. It was discovered that a pickup had gone off the freeway and passed through an area that was grassy when it rolled over, resting on the exit ramp and trapping the vehicle’s driver. After responders with Sac Fire extricated the person driving the vehicle, he was taken to the hospital with undetermined injuries. The collision is under investigation to determine how it happened.
Causes of a Rollover Accident
The majority of accidents that involve a rollover are caused by driver negligence. Not all of them are. There are factors that can contribute to or cause a rollover accident out of the injured driver’s control. Sometimes, a force causes a vehicle to travel sideways, which results in the rollover. These can include:
- Vehicle defects: A blown tire, brakes that lockup, an accelerator that fails and defective steering can all contribute to a rollover accident. In these cases, the parts designer, manufacturer, company that sold the product and others can be held financially liable for accident injuries caused by the defective part. A product liability claim can be placed for design or manufacturing defects or inadequate warnings.
- Aggressive driving: An aggressive driver is a danger on the road to others. In some instances, an aggressive driver will tailgate, cut in and out of traffic or even force another motorist off the road. If a motorist is forced to make an emergency maneuver in order to avoid being hit by an aggressive driver, that person may be held liable for the accident and resulting injuries.
- Poor road maintenance: A pothole or other preventable hazardous condition can cause a rollover accident.
- Involvement in a multiple-vehicle crash: When multiple vehicles are involved in a collision, a vehicle can experience a rollover if it is hit in the side. Intersections are also prime locations for a T-bone accident.
The Dangers of Roof Crush
Rollovers are among the most dangerous types of traffic collisions. The most common vehicles to be involved in a rollover accident are light trucks, SUVs, and vans because they tend to have a higher center of gravity. In some cases, the vehicle experiences roof crush when the supports for the top of the car are not strong enough to support its weight in a rollover. Traumatic brain injuries and other trauma often occur in this type of accident. Manufacturing defects and inferior design that leads to roof crush means the injured person can file for compensation through a product liability claim.
Investigation of an Accident
Conducting a thorough investigation is key to uncovering the evidence needed to support a client’s claim for compensation. My law office has vast experience and has successfully handled many cases over the years. We immediately send our investigators out to the scene of the rollover accident, where they talk to the witnesses and check for mistakes in the police report. Following this, they perform accident reconstruction, which demonstrates how the collision happened. Traffic surveillance cameras and those found at nearby businesses can show the rollover accident as it occurred. It is important to preserve the vehicle following a rollover so that the evidence of auto defects such as roof crush and at-fault driver negligence is not lost.
In some cases, government negligence is involved as a cause of a rollover. An attorney with experience in overcoming government immunity can help an injured person get the compensation they deserve.
Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. Rollovers can cause severe injuries, however, they are not always because of driver error. When you’ve been injured in an accident and believe an outside influence was the cause, call me at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice. I can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or by sending me a message online.
I’m honored to have helped many Sacramentans during my 38 years as an injury lawyer. I handle areas such as wrongful deaths, traumatic injuries, traffic accidents, and many others.
Visit the following links for helpful information about my law firm:
Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel are groups I am especially proud to belong to.
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