Two Accidents on Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights
I’m Ed Smith, a Citrus Heights car accident lawyer. A late night collision on August 19 in Citrus Heights was compounded when multiple individuals were struck by another vehicle on Greenback Lane after the first accident and required hospitalization. Not all of the individuals who were struck in the second accident were involved in the first but were good Samaritans who had stopped to help.
Accident Details
The collision occurred around 11:00 in the evening at Greenback Lane and Brookhaven Way and initially involved two vehicles. Although the vehicles were off to the side of the road, some people had gathered in the street, including the good Samaritans who had stopped to offer assistance and some individuals who were involved in the initial collision. This is when a third vehicle, traveling on westbound Greenback Lane, struck the people standing in the roadway.
Accident Injuries
Four individuals were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, and several were reported as being in critical condition. A fifth individual who was injured drove themselves to the hospital with undescribed injuries.
Investigation Into the Double Accidents
According to the Citrus Heights Police Department, they are investigating the cause of both accidents and deciding whether speed was involved in the second collision. By checking city cameras that might have caught both of the accidents on videotape, the police are hoping that the reason why the second vehicle did not stop before striking the people will be uncovered. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in either accident. Citrus Heights Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed either collision to please come forward to aid in the investigation.
How to Avoid Being Hit After an Accident
While an accident is bad enough, it is equally disconcerting to see people being hit after they survive the initial crash or stop to help. There are steps you can take to avoid the danger of being hit after a car crash:
- If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road.
- Put on your flashers and your headlights.
- Hang a white cloth or a bright piece of clothing out the front window.
- Use flares around the vehicle if you have them.
- Don’t leave the vehicle unless it is more dangerous to remain.
How Does Speed Affect a Car Accident
Studies have shown that speed is an important factor in both the severity of a crash and the risk that an accident will happen as well as the extent of injuries. The main factor is the distance a vehicle must travel before stopping. For instance, a car traveling at 50 mph requires 125 feet to stop once the brakes have been applied. Alternately, a vehicle traveling at 40 mph only needs 80 feet to stop. For every 0.6 mph increment increase, the risk of having an accident with injuries increases by 3 percent. The risk of fatalities using the same calculations increases by 4 to 5 percent. Fatalities at 50 mph are 20 percent more likely than at 19 mph.
Drivers Who Speed
Speeding happens most often if certain parameters are met. For instance:
- Younger drivers speed more than older ones
- Aggressive drivers speed more than others
- Males are found to speed more than females
- Drunk drivers speed due to the loss of judgment
Citrus Heights Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Citrus Heights car accident lawyer. Car accident injuries can be difficult to deal with both physically and financially. If your injuries were caused by a driver who was negligent, you can obtain fair compensation for your medical expenses, time away from work and pain and suffering. Call me in the Citrus Heights area at (916) 921-6400 for my compassionate, free and friendly advice. If you are outside the area, I can be reached toll-free at (800) 404-5400 or through my online contact form at AutoAccident.com.
As a Million Dollar Forum member from California, I join other top trial lawyers around the country who have demonstrated a settlement or verdict in excess of $1 million for a client.
I have helped many residents of Citrus Heights and other Northern California areas achieve the compensation they deserve in wrongful death claims and traumatic brain injuries.
If you need an attorney, you need to learn about their practice. Look at reviews by my peers and former clients and how I resolved prior cases on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/accident-action-auto-automobile-220996/
:cd llo [cs 751] cv