Sacramento Rollover on Interstate 80
A Sacramento rollover occurred along Interstate 80 just east of the El Camino Avenue onramp on February 28. It happened when a box truck and three other vehicles collided, causing a major injury to one person. The accident was called into the California Highway Patrol (CHP) just when it happened at 5:30 p.m., saying that they heard a loud explosion and saw black smoke coming from the freeway. When officers arrived, they discovered an orange box truck off the side of the road, while a black sedan was overturned onto its roof on the other side of a ditch.
Further Details of the Sacramento Rollover Accident
The lanes heading along eastbound I-80 were closed due to the accident until about 7:30 in the evening. Several of the lanes had to be shut down because a hazmat crew was required at the scene to burn off spilled fuel. No information was released about the person who suffered a major injury and was taken to a hospital for medical care and further evaluation. The CHP is in charge of an investigation into the accident and to determine fault.
Why Do Rollovers Happen?
A Sacramento rollover is a dangerous type of accident, and the incidence of fatalities is high. Some of the causes of rollovers are:
- Vehicle: Some vehicles such as light trucks, SUVs, and others with a high center of gravity are more likely to be involved in a rollover accident. The higher center of gravity is the main culprit and makes the vehicle more top heavy. Adding to this propensity for rollover accidents is the common practice of loading cargo on the roof.
- Speeding: This is a significant issue leading to a rollover. It is often due to the driver’s loss of control of his or her vehicle. Driving above the speed limit is modified in inclement weather, and the motor vehicle operator must lower his or her speed to accommodate the road condition.
- Defects: Automobile defects can lead to a Sacramento rollover. Frequently, defective brakes and tires are involved. If the manufacturing of design defects is proven, the injured party can file a product liability lawsuit against the makers of the vehicle.
- Tripping: When the vehicle’s tires strike soft dirt or gravel or hits a curb or some other stationary object, a Sacramento rollover can occur. Often this is associated with a speed that is not appropriate for the terrain. If tripping occurs due to road defects, the government agency in charge of keeping the road safe can be held responsible. Since the time limit to file is different in claims against the government, a car accident lawyer can make sure the claim is filed in time.
- Other vehicles: Erratic or reckless driving by other vehicle operators can result in a Sacramento rollover accident. This is most commonly seen in a T-bone collision.
Crushed Roof
Rollovers are amplified by the addition of problems with roof strength. Federal standards require that the roof be able to support at least 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle. In some vehicles, the design fails to achieve this. Issues with structural strength and supports are most frequently seen. Under such circumstances, the roof caves in on the occupant. If the pillars buckle when this happens, occupants can be thrown from the vehicle, leading to fatalities.
Legal Help in a Rollover Accident
Crushed roofs can lead to traumatic head injuries and deaths. An attorney who is experienced in this phenomenon can investigate the design of the vehicle to see if it adhered to standards regarding prevention of crushed roofs. He or she can also see if this happened in rollover accidents with this vehicle before. The attorney can determine if a faulty design was involved. If so, the manufacturer can be held responsible in an automotive product liability lawsuit.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Rollovers are among the most dangerous types of accidents and often cause serious injuries or fatalities. If you were injured in a rollover caused by a negligent driver, consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer is a good idea. For my free and friendly advice, call me at (916) 921-6400 or through my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400. Additionally, there is a convenient contact form on my website, AutoAccident.com.
It has been my honor to have served the good people of Sacramento and other Northern Californians for 37 years, defending their rights to fair compensation in cases involving wrongful death, traumatic injuries and all types of motor vehicle accidents.
Finding the right lawyer can be difficult when there are so many in your area. This is one of the reasons I have posted links to cases that my law firm has handled and my clients’ reviews for you to look over at:
As a Million Dollar Advocates California member, I join other trial lawyers who’ve won more than one million dollars for a client. I also belong to the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. I was invited to join this group due to my standards of excellence in the field of law.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_79745536_l-2015
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