Accident on Road 32A Causes Minor Injuries
A run-off-road crash in Yolo County near Davis on March 18 resulted in a minor injury. The accident occurred along Road 32A near the eastbound I-80 on-ramp east of Davis at around 5:42 p.m. The accident report filed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated that the vehicle went off the roadway and down an embankment.
Run-Off-Road Accident Being Investigated
A tow truck with 60 feet of cable was required to pull the vehicle back up to the roadway. It was determined that only minor trauma occurred as a result of the accident. Investigators are determining why the crash occurred.
Causes of a Run-Off-Road Crash
Most of the time, a run-off-road crash is due to an error or negligence by the driver. The reason they are dangerous is that the vehicle that leaves the road often experiences a rollover, which can cause serious injuries or even fatalities. Some of the reasons for this type of accident are the result of:
- Speeding can make the driver miss a curve or lose control of their vehicle, which can cause the auto to leave the road.
- Drowsiness or drunk driving is another major reason for a run-off-road collision. A fatigued driver or someone who has been drinking shows similar problems such as the inability to focus, poor judgment and drifting off behind the wheel of the vehicle.
- Distracted driving has become the number one cause of traffic collisions. A driver who is texting or concentrating on something other than the roadway can easily go off the road.
- Weather conditions such as rain or ice can cause this type of accident. In some cases, the driver is going under the speed limit but too fast for the weather conditions.
Other Reasons for an Accident Where the Vehicle Leaves the Road
Driver error isn’t the sole cause of an accident that makes a vehicle exit the road. An outside influence may also lead to this type of accident as shown below.
Motor Vehicle Defects
A defect in a vehicle such as in the tires, brakes, accelerator or motor itself can cause an accident where the car/light truck leaves the roadway. A tire blowout, brakes that suddenly don’t function, an accelerator pedal that sticks and other problems may be responsible for the accident. Retaining the vehicle after a crash is important so that it can be examined for defects. If one is found to have been responsible for the accident, an auto product liability lawsuit can be filed against the manufacturer and others in the production line to recover damages.
Negligence by a Government Entity in a Run-Off-Road Crash
Bad roadways with problems such as debris, soft shoulders, potholes, bad lighting, and others can cause a run-off-road crash. When a government entity has not performed adequate maintenance on a roadway and it results in a traffic accident injury, they may be held financially responsible. The injured party can file a claim against that entity, however, the time in which you can file is much shorter than those for other personal injuries. Using an injury lawyer to ensure the paperwork is completed correctly and filed within the statute of limitations may be helpful.
Filing Deadlines Against a Government Entity
The injury claim must be filed within six months of the trauma. The government entity in question has to respond within 45 days. If they reject the claim, the injured person has six months to file a lawsuit. If they receive no answer at all, they have up to two years to file their lawsuit.
Davis CA Personal Injury Lawyers
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Davis personal injury attorney. An auto accident can leave those inside the vehicle with serious injuries. When negligence by another driver or entity was the cause of your Yolo county car crash, you may want to discover whether you can recover compensation. Call our injury lawyers at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 if you would like free and friendly advice. You can reach us online also.
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Photo attribution: Image by Rico Löb from Pixabay
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