Sacramento Motor Vehicle Crash Involves Woman in Wheelchair
A woman in a wheelchair was involved in a motor vehicle crash on June 30 in Sacramento in the Florin area. The accident happened on westbound Florin Road just west of Stockton Boulevard at around 2:18 in the afternoon, according to the crash report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Little information was provided except to identify the person in the wheelchair as a woman and to say the vehicle involved in the crash was a Chevy sedan.
Additional Information About the Accident
Emergency responders with the Sacramento Fire Department were quickly called to the scene to assess injuries. Information about those injuries has not yet been released as of the time of this report. The accident is under investigation by the CHP to determine how it occurred.
Pedestrians Vulnerable to a Motor Vehicle Crash
Older adults, the disabled, and children are especially vulnerable when it comes to sharing a roadway with motor vehicles. Obviously, older adults are more fragile and move slowly, which makes it difficult for them to get out of the way if a motorist is negligent. Pedestrians who use wheelchairs, walkers and canes or are vision-impaired or deaf also rely on careful motorists to keep them from harm.
Children and Pedestrian Accidents
Children are especially vulnerable because they are smaller and more difficult for a motorist to spot. In addition, children are often too young to understand the dangers of being around moving traffic or simply forget to look in both directions when crossing the street. These are all people who depend on motorists exercising a duty of care to keep them safe. When a negligent motorist injures a pedestrian, they have the right to claim compensation. This is where an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer can help.
Ways in Which Motorists Are Negligent
Anyone who drives knows how negligent some drivers can be at intersections. There are those who ignore another motorist’s right of way and refuse to yield. Others pull too far into the crosswalk in their urgency to get through the intersection, which forces pedestrians, bicycle riders and others to skirt around the edge of the vehicle to pass. Other ways that motorists are negligent include:
- Running a stop sign or red light at an intersection is common, especially if the driver is speeding at the same time. At times, the driver is trying to make it through the yellow warning light before it turns red.
- Making an unsafe right turn is a problem with some motorists because they neglect to look to their right for people in the bicycle lane. Those in wheelchairs may also end up using the bicycle lane if the sidewalks are impassable and cannot be used. However, any time a person who uses a wheelchair is forced to use the street, it increases the risk of a dangerous motor vehicle crash.
- Making an unsafe left turn can include attempting that turn without having a clear view. A pedestrian approaching the crosswalk can end up being injured in a motor vehicle crash.
Pedestrian Accident Investigation
Evidence is important for a pedestrian who has been injured by negligence to support a claim for negligence. Our investigators are experienced and reliable when it comes to collecting that evidence. They perform accident reconstruction, seek video footage from surveillance cameras nearby and review the police report for errors. In addition, they interview witnesses, take photos of the vehicle crash scene and check to see if government negligence contributed to the accident. Once the information has been gathered, our lawyers use it to build a strong court case or negotiate with the insurance company.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. Pedestrians are always at risk and often suffer serious injuries or become a fatality when they are involved in a motor vehicle crash. You can reach me at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice or at the toll-free number of (800) 404-5400. Others prefer to contact me online.
I’ve helped many Northern Californians, including Sacramentans, to get the compensation they deserve during my 38 years as an injury lawyer. Although I specialize in all kinds of traffic crashes, I also handle wrongful deaths, traumatic injuries and other types of cases.
Two of the associations I’m proud to be a member of are:
The links that follow contain information about my law firm that may be helpful:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/motorized-wheelchair-wheelchair-952190/
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