Single-Vehicle Crash Occurs Along Howe Avenue Intersection
Around 2:00 in the morning on October 22, a driver in Sacramento was involved in a single-vehicle crash after the motorist fell asleep at the wheel. Officers with the Sacramento Police Department and rescue personnel from the fire department responded to the intersection accident along Howe Avenue, where it crosses American River Drive in the area of Campus Commons. The driver had struck a light pole while going north along Howe Avenue. This is when the vehicle left the roadway and struck two poles while traveling at a high rate of speed. The impact of the vehicle striking the first pole caused the signal light mounted on top to fly a distance of around 200 feet. The pole itself also landed a few feet from the signal light. The vehicle’s engine compartment was found wrapped around another light pole on its passenger side.
Driver Injured in Accident
Paramedics transported the driver of the single-vehicle crash to a local hospital for treatment of a broken leg and additional injuries. Officers investigating the crash said that neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to be factors in the accident.
Reasons Why a Single-Vehicle Crash Happens
There are many reasons why a single-vehicle crash happens. Some single-vehicle accidents involve drunk driving, speeding and driver distractions. However, there are more that do not have anything to do with driver error. For example, the road itself may be a cause of the accident. Some roads are ridden with potholes and loose pavement, causing the driver to swerve to avoid hitting them. When that happens, the driver may lose control of their vehicle and hit a light pole or another obstacle.
In other cases, the driver may be taking medications prescribed by their physician without knowing that they would cause drowsiness. Closing one’s eyes for only a few seconds can cause a single-vehicle crash. Runaway pets or livestock also might have run into the road. Motor vehicle defects such as brake failure could also be responsible. Finally, another driver may force the motorist off the road and leave the scene of the single-vehicle crash.
Hitting a Light Pole
Hitting a light pole in a single-vehicle crash can be very dangerous. If the impact is strong enough to take the pole down, it is likely that electric wires may be around your car and on the ground. The problem is if someone exits the vehicle or good Samaritans try to reach you, they may be electrocuted. There a few things to do to stay safe:
- Stay in the vehicle and call 911. The utility company will tell you when it is safe to get out. If there is a reason to leave the vehicle, such as a fire, try to jump out, don’t touch the doorframe and land on two feet. While this may sound strange, it could save your life. By keeping your feet together, you are not giving the electricity the chance to flow through your body and kill you.
- Don’t approach a vehicle with electric wires on the ground. While your intentions are good, the driver is safe in the car, and you could step on a live wire. Call 911 if the driver is unconscious and wait.
What a Lawyer Can Do for You
Your lawyer will be able to find out why an accident happened. We dispatch our investigators to the accident site and look for evidence of another vehicle that might have been involved and fled. Our investigators also check the road for potholes or lack of signage that might have precipitated the accident. We also check for runaway pets or livestock that might have run into the road, causing the single-vehicle crash. In addition, we interview witnesses to the crash, check police reports for errors, obtain video footage, and find out what medication the driver may have taken. We also look for vehicle defects that may have caused the driver to lose control.
Sacramento Auto Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento auto accident lawyer. I can help if you were injured in a traffic accident caused by negligence. Please phone me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 if you would like me to offer you my free and friendly advice. An online form is also available.
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Whether it is a wrongful death, a traumatic injury, or any type of traffic collision, I’ve helped Sacramento residents obtain fair compensation for more than 37 years.
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_11765047_l-2015
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