Single-Vehicle Driver Injured in Early Morning Crash in Natomas
An accident along West Elkhorn Boulevard in Natomas on November 2 caused injuries to a single-vehicle driver when they struck a traffic pole. The accident was reported at about 2:15 in the morning in the Regency Park area at Elkhorn and Sageview Drive. Upon arrival at the accident scene, crews discovered the vehicle ablaze and severely damaged. According to the Sacramento Fire Department, the single-vehicle driver was removed from the vehicle by a good Samaritan, which is believed to have saved their life. The driver was transported by emergency responders to UC Davis Medical Center for evaluation and further care. It was reported that the traffic pole the vehicle struck at the intersection was seriously damaged and made inoperable by the crash.
Single-Vehicle Crashes
A single-vehicle crash occurs when a vehicle leaves the road and strikes an object such as a tree or a light pole. This is also called a run-off road accident. Such crashes often cause serious injuries and fatalities. Approximately 70 percent of fatalities in single-vehicle accidents result from run-off road crashes. The vehicle may also remain on the road and crash into the median or an obstacle in the road. The latter can range from a fallen tree to an object that fell off a truck.
Some Causes of Run-Off Road Accidents
While alcohol use is a common factor in single-vehicle crashes, there are other reasons such accidents happen:
- Speeding: This is a common reason for single-vehicle accidents, particularly on narrow winding roads. Speeding leaves the driver with less control over their vehicle.
- Curved roads: The number of run-off road accidents is much greater on curved roads. Roughly, 90 percent of crashes on curved roads are single-vehicle run-off road accidents. In order to decrease the number of crashes, government agencies should erect signs warning drivers of a curve in the road. When they don’t, they may be liable for injuries a driver suffers.
- Undivided roads with few lanes: When a driver is operating a motor vehicle on a road with fewer lanes, their risk of a run-off road accident is higher. This is due to the absence of alternate routes should an obstacle present itself. Basically, the only place to go is onto the shoulder, especially if another vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction.
- Another vehicle: On occasion, another vehicle forces a driver off the road and then flees. This might be seen as a single-vehicle run-off road accident.
- Defective vehicles: Vehicles that experience a tire blow out or accelerator or brake failure may be pushed off the road or into the median. Your attorney can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer to recover damages you suffered.
- Medical emergencies: Sometimes, a motorist will experience a medical emergency, which leads to a run-off road accident.
- Drugs: While some drugs that cause single-vehicle accidents are illegal, others are prescribed. This usually happens because the medication induces sleepiness. This is also true of over the counter meds such as Benedryl.
What Your Attorney Can Do to Help
A single-vehicle accident may leave a driver injured and wrongly accused of causing the crash. This is when our firm steps in to unravel the clues as to why it occurred. We dispatch our investigative team to the accident site where they search for evidence. They do this by using accident reconstruction techniques, obtain video footage from witnesses and traffic surveillance cameras and nearby businesses. Our investigators also interview witnesses and review police reports for mistakes. In addition, we check for defects in the vehicle that could have led to the accident. We also check for hit and run drivers and medical conditions that may have been involved. When this data is accumulated, we send it to our lawyers, who use it to build a strong case in your favor.
Natomas Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Natomas car accident lawyer. If you were injured in a traffic accident, you might benefit from my free and friendly advice. Call me to see if you might be able to obtain compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages at (916) 921-6400. The toll-free number is (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is also available for those who would rather get in touch with me that way.
Whether it is any type of car accident, a wrongful death, or someone has suffered traumatic injuries because of someone else’s negligence, I am here to help.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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