Accident on I-5 Causes One Vehicle to Go Down an Embankment
A hit-and-run occurred on Interstate 5 northbound on August 11, causing a vehicle to go airborne. It happened around 7:57 in the morning just south of the Richards Boulevard exit ramp. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that they, in addition to officers with the Sacramento Police Department and three units from the fire department, arrived to assess the situation.
Driver Escapes Injuries in Serious Crash
It appears as though the vehicle went up into the air, crashed through a guardrail, and went down an embankment. The vehicle was so far down that only the trunk was visible. It was necessary to call for a tow truck to pull the vehicle back up to the roadway. No one was reported as injured in the crash. The CHP called it a hit-and-run in its report. The accident is under investigation to determine what happened and to locate the driver who fled.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
The number of hit and run accidents has been increasing over the past few years. The increase may be linked to the number of drivers in California who are without a driver’s license. Some other reasons that hit and run accidents occur are:
- Driving drunk: For a drunk driver, being in an accident means that they might be exposed once the police arrive. Because of this, the drunk driver flees the scene of the accident only to turn themselves in once they sober up.
- No insurance: Given that over two million Californians lack auto insurance, the chances that an uninsured driver will run is high.
- Drug use: Drivers who use drugs and drive are also likely to flee after an accident. Similar to a drunk driver, the drugged driver does not want to be caught.
- Panic: Many drivers panic after an accident and flee the crash site. Once the driver calms down, they may go to the police to turn themselves in.
Compensation in a Hit-and-Run Accident
Our law firm works hard to locate the hit-and-run driver alongside the police. However, in some cases, the perpetrator cannot be found. Injured individuals worry that they will not be able to be compensated for medical care and lost wages.
There is a way to collect the necessary damages without the at-fault party. This method involves the use of uninsured/underinsured car accident insurance, which is offered to all drivers when they obtain an auto policy. It is not mandatory; however, with the number of uninsured drivers in California, it is a good idea.
If you have this add-on to your car insurance, it will pay for the damages you incurred. If you do not carry it and a member of your family does, you will be able to use theirs. Either way, there is never an increase in premiums.
Crashing Through a Guardrail
Depending on the situation, the government agency in charge of maintenance and construction may be responsible if the guardrail is ineffective. Sometimes, the guardrails become weakened by age and prior accidents. If this is the case, the guardrail needs to be replaced. When this is not done, and a driver or their passengers are injured, it is possible to file a lawsuit against the government agency.
Investigating a Hit-and-Run Accident
Our law firm sends a team of investigators to the accident site. There, they interview witnesses and obtain video footage from traffic surveillance cameras. We also use accident reconstruction to determine liability.
As the investigation proceeds, we make every effort to locate the hit-and-run driver. In the event this does not happen, we work with our clients to obtain the compensation they deserve by using uninsured/underinsured insurance. Also, if the guardrails were faulty, we examine it to see if it was, in part, responsible for injuries.
Once all evidence is compiled, our legal team works on the case to bring it to a successful conclusion.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
I am Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. (916) 921-6400 is the number to call for my free and friendly advice when another driver has injured you. The number for long-distance callers is (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is available also.
For more than 38 years, I’ve helped Sacramentans with their traffic crash injuries, traumas such as a brain injury and wrongful deaths.
Check out our client reviews and cases at the links below:
It is an honor for me to be a member of the Top 1 Percent and the Million Dollar Forum.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/accident-crash-tree-auto-pkw-2161956/
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