Two Women Dead After Accident on I-5 in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. A recent two-vehicle accident in the southern part of Sacramento County claimed the lives of two women and injured the other driver involved in the collision, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). One of the deceased women was the driver of one of the vehicles and the other was a passenger riding in the front seat. The passenger suffered injuries initially described as critical. Sadly, she passed away later at a local hospital.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the women who lost their lives in the accident as well as the driver of the other vehicle.
What Happened
The accident happened shortly before 8:00 in the morning, west of Interstate 5, along Walnut Grove Road near the county line. According to the CHP, the woman, who was driving a Toyota Prius, was traveling east and tried to pass another vehicle on the road. At this point, she lost control of her car, which fishtailed.
Other Driver Tries to Stop Before a Collision Occurs
The driver of a Ford F-250, coming in the other direction, saw the vehicle veer into the westbound lane. The truck driver tried to stop but could not avoid a crash with the car. The truck struck the Prius broadside. The driver of the Ford pickup, who was also injured in the collision, was transported to the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center for treatment. The coroner’s office in Sacramento has yet to release the identities of the two women who died.
Passing Vehicles on the Road
Passing or overtaking another vehicle can be dangerous because the car is going into the opposing lane to do so. When passing, there are a few safety rules to follow:
- Never go above the speed limit.
- Don’t pass in areas where it is illegal.
- If another vehicle is coming from the other direction, ensure it is a safe distance away, so you can complete passing without endangering others.
- Include weather conditions as a factor when attempting to pass another vehicle.
- Remember that it can be difficult to judge the speed of a vehicle coming toward you.
Causes of Fishtailing
Fishtailing is caused by the rear wheels losing traction. This happens most often when the roads are icy or slick from rain or snow. It can also happen on gravel and sand. Rear wheel drive makes it more likely that a vehicle will fishtail. When a vehicle fishtails, the back portion of the car or truck moves to one side while a driver steers in the opposite direction. It is best to drive in the direction of the skid, and try not to oversteer.
Braking hard can also cause any vehicle to fishtail. This is due to the transition of the weight to the anterior portion of the vehicle. Antilock brakes work to correct this problem. Some makes of cars are more likely to fishtail, and increasing the weight in the rear helps to alleviate the problem.
Determining Fault in a Car Accident
When determining fault in a car accident, it is essential to see if a problem with the car’s tires caused the crash. When a rear tire fails, it is possible the vehicle will begin to fishtail. Tire failure is often linked to a tire defect or lack of maintenance. If the tire is not properly inflated, the chance the tire will fail is increased. This is most likely with underinflation, which makes the tire sag and build up heat, particularly at highway speeds. The warning signs of tire failure are:
- The tread wears unevenly.
- Cracks or small cuts are found in the tire’s sidewall.
- Blisters or bulges are evident.
- Vibration from the tires becomes noticeable.
Car Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. When injured in an accident due to a malfunctioning vehicle or to tire failure, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for friendly advice that is always free.
I’ve helped numerous residents of Sacramento and the wider Northern California area with wrongful death lawsuits and auto product liability claims.
If you are thinking of hiring an attorney, you need information about his or her practice. Click on the following links to learn about mine:
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates. We are trial lawyers who have won a minimum of $1 million for our clients.
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