West Sacramento Rollover Accident
West Sacramento Rollover Accident – A one-car collision on September 18, 2018, occurred when the driver fell asleep while driving along Carlin Drive eastbound near Southport Parkway and crashed. The accident was reported by the driver himself, after he nodded off and his car rolled several times before landing on its roof, according to the West Sacramento Police Department. It is unknown at the time of this report whether drugs or alcohol was involved in the crash.
West Sacramento Rollover Accident Details
A portion of the road had to be closed following the 4:30 a.m. collision. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle but was able to call for assistance. It was reported that the driver was unharmed in the accident.
Fatigue Leading to a Rollover
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 25 adult drivers has reported falling asleep behind the wheel in a 30-day period. While drowsy driving can happen to anyone, the following factors are more likely to make a motorist more tired:
- Lack of sleep the night before: Some drivers experience chronic deprivation of sleep because of demands from family, work and in other areas.
- Job-related sleep problems: Those who work long hours, or at multiple jobs or who do shift jobs are more likely to be involved in an accident caused by fatigue.
- Sleep disorders: Narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea are all conditions that can make a driver sleepy while behind the wheel. Many of these conditions go undiagnosed and can lead to a rollover.
- Alcohol and illicit or legal drugs: Alcohol and certain medications, both legal and illegal, are known to make a person drowsy. Illegal drugs that can cause drowsiness include some hallucinogens, depressants, and stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Legal drugs that can cause drowsiness in a driver include some allergy, anxiety and blood pressure medications.
- Natural body rhythms: An individual’s biological clock causes the brain to increase its desire for sleep in the mid-afternoon and after the sun has gone down. These hours are when drowsy driving accidents are more likely to occur.
Avoiding a Rollover Accident
Although some vehicles are more prone to rollover accidents such as SUVs, vans, and pickups because of their higher center of gravity, there are ways to reduce the risk. These include:
- Stay within the speed limit: Limits are placed for a reason. Speeding is one of the major reasons for collisions, and a rollover can occur when going around a sharp curve or the driver loses control of the vehicle.
- Always wear a seat belt: Fatalities occur in around 50 percent of rollovers, along with serious injuries. If you are involved in one, wearing a seat belt increases your chances of walking away.
- Keep tires in good condition: Underinflated or worn tires can contribute to a rollover. This is especially true in warm weather, which can cause old tires to over-inflate and result in a blowout.
- Use caution when carrying cargo: Heavy items need to be distributed evenly with the heaviest near the center of the vehicle. This can help avoid an imbalance that could lead to a rollover.
- Use extra caution if your vehicle is subject to rollover such as an SUV: Even a heavy gust of wind can cause some vehicles to experience a rollover, so caution is necessary. This is particularly true when passing a large truck or going around a curve.
Watch YouTube video: How to Survive a Vehicle Rollover. The video below provides some driving techniques on what you need to do to survive a rollover accident.
West Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a West Sacramento personal injury lawyer. When you or someone you care about has been involved in an accident because of negligence by another person or entity, you might be entitled to fair compensation. Please call me for my free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 in the Sacramento area. If you are calling from somewhere else in Northern California, I can be reached at (800) 404-5400 or through my online contact form at AutoAccident.com.
As a longtime resident of West Sacramento and throughout my 36+ year career, I have successfully defended the rights of many of its residents in claims for all types of car accidents, cases of wrongful death and brain injury, among many other areas.
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West Sacramento Rollover Accident: AutoAccident.com
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_37667915_l-2015 / West Sacramento Rollover Accident.
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