Watt Avenue Site of Traffic Crash in South Sacramento
A traffic crash involving three vehicles in South Sacramento clogged major roads in the early morning hours of February 21, 2020. The accident occurred on South Watt Avenue in the area between Elder Creek and Fruitridge roads. The crash, according to the Sacramento Police Department, involved three vehicles: a big rig and two passenger cars. Even though tow trucks were called to the scene, one lane of South Watt Avenue remained closed two hours after the crash. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. At this juncture, it is uncertain whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Common Causes of Traffic Crashes
Most crashes are caused by human error. Some of the more common ones are:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who focus on activities other than driving cause more injuries and deaths than other forms of human error. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted drivers kill nine people every day and injure well over 1,000. There are three types of distracted driving: visual, mental, and cognitive. Texting involves all three types of distraction since the wayward driver takes their hands off the wheel, looks at something other than the road, and is not thinking about driving. Reading a text message takes an average of about five seconds. This is long enough for a vehicle going 55 mph to cover an entire football field.
- Speeding: Driving faster than the speed limit causes many accidents. The faster a car travels, the longer it takes to slow down and stop. It also interferes with a driver’s control over their vehicle. This error is particularly dangerous on highways, where congestion can lead to a car crash when speeding.
- Drunk driving: This activity causes over 10,000 deaths per year. A driver is incapable of handling their vehicle in a prudent manner when inebriated. Even though it is against the law and carries stiff fines and jail time, the number of drunk and drug-impaired drivers has increased over the years.
- Inclement weather: Driving in fog or on slippery roads can cause a traffic crash. Drivers need to slow down and take precautions that can eliminate weather-related accidents.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive driving has reached an all-time high in California. Reckless driving also involves moving erratically from one traffic lane to another and speeding.
- Fatigued driving: Many passenger car drivers, as well as truckers, are guilty of driving while fatigued. Falling asleep at the wheel or even nodding off for a few seconds can result in injuries or death. Head-on collisions often involve drunk or fatigued drivers.
- Nighttime driving: Despite good headlights, it is difficult to see well at night. This is particularly true in unlighted areas or on the highway. Many accidents with trucks occur because the truck lacked reflective tape or lights on the sides. This can lead to side underride accidents because, in the dark, it appears that the truck is not there.
- Red-light runners: Many drivers try to run a red light at an intersection. This can result in a serious intersection crash.
How an Attorney Can Help
It is important to prove negligence since, without this evidence, a personal injury lawsuit cannot go forward. That is why we dispatch our investigators to the scene of the crash as quickly as possible before valuable evidence disappears. Once they arrive, they scour the area for proof and use accident reconstruction techniques to restage the traffic crash digitally. Our investigators also speak to witnesses and review police reports for inaccuracies. They make every effort to obtain video footage of the crash from sources such as traffic surveillance cameras and security capture from local businesses. If a truck was involved, our investigators review trucker’s logs that reveal if the big rig was adequately maintained or if the driver was driving longer than federal rules allow. Once all evidence is amassed, the investigators release it to our legal team to use as they build a strong case for our client.
South Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a South Sacramento car accident lawyer. When you are injured in a traffic crash, you need the insight an injury lawyer can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. I can also be reached online.
I’ve helped clients since 1982 with all varieties of car accidents, traumatic injuries, and wrongful deaths.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Learn more about my practice by visiting the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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