Seven Injured in Five-Car Crash in Fresno
Seven people, including a young child, were injured after a 5-car accident in Fresno on Saturday, January 28, 2023. The accident occurred shortly before 1:00 pm near Highway 41, north of American Avenue.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a car was traveling southbound in the fast lane on State Route 41, going about 50 to 60 miles per hour, when the driver crashed into several vehicles stopped at a red light. Investigators said the car slammed into a vehicle at full speed, forcing that car to crash into the vehicle ahead of it, which caused a chain reaction. Officers said a total of ten people suffered minor to major injuries. Seven people, including a minor, were hospitalized for medical treatment.
Officials closed the road for about an hour while they cleaned up the scene and investigated. Police believed distracted driving may have been a factor in the accident.
The YouTube video below from CBS47 KSEE24 reports on the multi-vehicle injury accident in Fresno.
What is Considered Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving takes your eyes and attention away from the road. Some instances of distracted driving include talking on the phone, sending a text message, using a navigation system, eating, or tuning the radio while driving.
The three main types of distraction include the following:
- Visual: taking your eyes off the road (operating a GPS system, applying makeup, or tuning the radio)
- Cognitive: taking your mind off driving (daydreaming, talking on the phone, or talking to passengers)
- Manual: taking your hands off the wheel (eating or texting)
These distractions can put you, your passengers, and others on the road in danger.
Dangers of Distracted Driving
Statistics show that taking your eyes off the road can have deadly consequences, even for a few seconds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 3,000 people are killed yearly in traffic accidents involving distracted drivers.
- In 2019, over 3100 people were killed, and more than 424,000 suffered injuries in accidents involving distracted drivers.
- One in five people killed in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019 were pedestrians or bicyclists.
- In fatal crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019, a higher percentage of drivers aged 15 to 20 were distracted than those 21 or older.
How to Prevent Distracted Driving
Avoiding distracting driving behaviors is the best way to be safe on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you will have a quicker reflex for unexpected scenarios that could cause an accident by eliminating distractions and giving your full attention to the road. Below are some simple changes to driving safer:
- Put your phone away: Avoid texting or talking on your phone. Limit its use and keep it accessible for emergencies only. If something comes up and you need to use the phone, pull off to the side of the road to use it.
- Don’t eat when driving: In our busy lives, grabbing lunch on the go may seem efficient, but eating while driving is not wise. An unexpected mess can distract you and take your attention away from driving.
- Keep pets secure. Put your pets in their zone in the back of your car. It can help reduce distractions if your dog is not roaming about the vehicle.
- Avoid reaching for items: Don’t reach for things if they fall while driving. Store loose objects that could roll around in your car and cause a distraction.
- Practice defensive driving: An excellent way to stay safer on the road is to practice defensive driving techniques.
Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Fresno. If you or a family member has suffered serious injuries in an accident in Fresno, our experienced legal team can help you recover fair compensation for your damages and losses. Call (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400 to speak to one of our injury lawyers for free, friendly advice on how to file a claim.
We have helped our clients in Fresno County and throughout California obtain successful verdicts and settlements since 1982.
Photo by REEET JANK on Unsplash
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