Four Vehicle Accident on SR 99 Stalls Traffic
A multiple-vehicle crash occurred in Sacramento on October 20, which blocked several lanes of northbound State Route 99 and slowed traffic. It was reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that the collision occurred around 6:29 in the morning just north of the Martin Luther King Jr. exit ramp in the Lemon Hill area. Two of the vehicles were left blocking the number three and four lanes, while the other two cars went up an embankment.
Multiple-Vehicle Crash Being Investigated
Resue personnel with the Sacramento Fire Department were called to the scene to assess injuries in the multiple-vehicle crash. Whether serious injuries were suffered was not reported. The incident is being investigated by the CHP to discover how the collision happened and to assign fault to those responsible.
Multiple-Vehicle Accidents
The number of multiple-vehicle accidents has increased due to traffic congestion and driver error. This is an ongoing problem for drivers who take high-speed, high-capacity roads. Despite limiting factors, the number of vehicles on the road has increased substantially over the past decade.
This includes trucks taking products to market, especially in Northern California. Because vehicles are jammed together with little room to navigate away from a potential accident, one incident can involve many cars or trucks. A multiple-vehicle crash can be perilous for drivers and passengers alike.
Reasons That a Multiple-Vehicle Crash Is So Dangerous
One of the primary reasons that a multiple-vehicle crash is so dangerous is because a single vehicle involved in the accident can be struck many times. Protective devices such as airbags are basically useless after the initial impact since once they deploy, they cannot react to subsequent hits. In addition, vehicles are subject to side impacts, which are worse than frontal or rear collisions. The driver or passenger will lack protection since most vehicles do not have side airbags yet.
Driver Error
Driver error is another factor that makes multiple-vehicle accidents dangerous. Some of the most common errors are:
- Distracted drivers: When a driver takes his or her eyes off the road on a crowded highway, an accident often follows. This is because the driver will not see that the car in front of them has slowed or is involved in an accident. By the time the driver who is distracted can react to what is happening ahead, it may be too late to stop.
- Drunk drivers: Like distracted drivers, drunk motorists are unable to react to what is happening around them quickly enough to avoid an accident.
- Fatigued drivers: All too often today, drivers get behind the wheel when they are fatigued. Just a few moments of nodding off can lead to an accident.
- Reckless drivers: Motorists who are driving too fast or cut in and out from one lane to another are likely to cause an accident on a crowded highway. This occurs even more frequently when they are in a construction zone.
Traffic Accident Investigation of a Multiple-Vehicle Crash
An investigation must be held to collect the evidence necessary to support a client’s compensation claim following a personal injury. An investigation includes interviewing witnesses to the multiple-vehicle crash for corroborating evidence. It also includes checking for mistakes in the police report. In addition, the investigators perform accident reconstruction and look for area surveillance cameras that may have taped the multiple-vehicle crash as it happened.
When all the evidence is compiled, our experienced lawyers use it to build a case that benefits our client. It may be used in negotiations with the insurance company in some cases. In the event the insurance company balks at paying what our client deserves, it can be used in civil court to obtain appropriate financial compensation.
Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. For my free and friendly advice, give me a call at (916) 921-6400. You can also contact me at (800) 404-5400 or by completing the online form.
Check the following links for information about my law firm:
The following are two groups I feel especially honored to belong to:
I’ve helped Sacramentans since 1982 to get fair compensation for their personal injuries, including from any type of traffic collision or trauma to wrongful death.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
:cd llo [cs 752]