Two-Vehicle Collision Along Madison Avenue May Have Involved Drunk Driver
A two-vehicle collision occurred in Citrus Heights on August 5 that ended up with both drivers hospitalized. The possible drunk driving accident happened around 4:30 in the morning on Madison Avenue at Sunrise Boulevard. Officers with the Citrus Heights Police Department responded and discovered two significantly damaged vehicles and that one of them had crashed into a utility pole. The other car involved in the two-vehicle collision was a Volkswagen Beetle. It was not reported which hospital the injured parties were transported to.
Road Closure Following Serious Two-Vehicle Collision
Madison Avenue westbound was closed from Primrose Drive to Sunrise Boulevard until about 10:00 in the morning for the utility pole to be repaired and an investigation into the accident conducted. A news release by the Citrus Heights Police said the accident cause was unknown, but drunk driving appeared to be a factor. Those who witnessed the accident are asked to call the police department at their non-emergency line at (916) 727-5500.
Two-Vehicle Crashes
A two-vehicle collision is usually caused by driver error. Some of the most frequent are:
- Distracted driving: This driver error has become the number one cause of accidents, overshadowing drunk driving. The reason this error has increased is a need many have to multitask. Drivers are often talking or texting on a cell phone, fiddling with the radio or GPS or talking to passengers. Whenever a driver takes his or her focus off the road for even a few seconds, their ability to control their vehicle is diminished. For instance, a driver may be unaware that the vehicle in front has stopped or slowed down. This leads to a rear-end collision.
- Drunk driving: Driving while impaired is linked to two-vehicle accidents. The impaired driver is unable to judge distance when another vehicle is turning. They also have decreased muscle control, and this interferes with their ability to drive properly. The greater the amount of alcohol they have imbibed is not always a predictor of how they will handle their vehicle. Some individuals are more sensitive to alcohol. If you are driving, it is better to abstain from drinking, have a designated driver or take an Uber.
- Speeding: Obeying the speed limit is a critical factor in avoiding a two-vehicle accident. This is true on both rural and urban roads. In town, drivers speeding in an intersection can cause traumatic pedestrian accidents when approaching a crosswalk since they are going too fast to stop.
- Running a red light: Some drivers refuse to wait at a traffic light and will speed through an intersection when the light turns red. This is a major cause of intersection accidents. Today, many lights have traffic surveillance cameras, whose video footage is able to prove that a driver did not stop. Many of these accidents are T-bone crashes, which are capable of causing serious injuries since the doors of the vehicle lack safety protection such as airbags. Some newer vehicles come with window airbags as standard equipment.
Investigating a Two-Vehicle Collision
It is vital that liability is proven after a two-vehicle collision. This means that the evidence is found that proves negligence on the part of the at-fault driver. To accomplish this, our investigators examine the crash site for clues such as pavement marks and obtain videos from cell phones and surveillance cameras.
The investigators use accident reconstruction techniques and interview witnesses. We also examine police reports used in negotiations with the insurance company and in court to ensure they are accurate. Once all the information is gathered, our lawyers use it to build a strong case for our clients.
Citrus Heights Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Citrus Heights personal injury lawyer. Contact me at (916) 921-6400 or from long-distance at (800) 404-5400 if you would like my free and friendly advice. I can also be contacted online.
See what clients have had to say about us and cases we’ve handled at:
Million Dollar Forum and Top 1 Percent are groups I belong to as a California member.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/headlamp-accident-auto-blue-broken-2940/
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