Intersection Crash in Downtown Sacramento Causes Injuries

Accident at 16th and J Intersection Occurs After Midnight

An intersection crash on November 26 between two vehicles resulted in several injuries a little after midnight in downtown Sacramento. The accident happened at 16th and J Streets. Officers with the Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento Fire Department were on the scene to help those who were injured. One of the vehicles crashed through a fence and into a tree. It then caught fire, but the blaze was extinguished by firefighters at the scene after they removed an injured woman from the car. 

At Least One Person Transported to a Hospital With Injuries

The traffic signal was struck and fell, further complicating the accident scene. The woman in the vehicle that caught fire was transported by emergency responders to a hospital with moderate injuries. J Street was shut down to east and west traffic while the accident scene was cleared and the injured assessed. The northbound traffic at the intersection was allowed to proceed. The driver of the other vehicle had to be extricated. The injuries to that driver were reported to be minor. The accident is being investigated to find out how it occurred and to assign fault.

Causes of an Intersection Crash

Negligence is almost always the cause of an intersection crash. This means that when an innocent party is injured in this type of accident, they may place a claim for compensation. It will cover the cost of their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and time lost at work. Common causes of an accident at an intersection include:

  • A driver runs a red light or stop sign.
  • The driver is speeding and cannot stop in time to avoid a collision.
  • The driver is distracted by texting, talking on a phone, or other activity.
  • A driver is fatigued, which can be caused by medication, work, or just staying up too late.
  • The driver is drunk or has been using drugs.
  • The driver makes an illegal or unsafe turn.
  • The driver makes an unsafe turn in front of an oncoming car.

Investigating an Intersection Crash

For a client to get fair compensation for their accident injuries, negligence by another party has to be proved. Our investigators are highly experienced in doing that. We send them to the accident scene as soon as possible to gather that evidence. Some of the areas in which they search include:

  • The investigators perform accident reconstruction, which shows the positioning of the vehicles and demonstrates how the intersection crash occurred.
  • They check to ensure that traffic lights were working properly and signs were not obscured by foliage or other lack of maintenance. If the government entity charged with maintaining the area fails in its duties, and that led to the accident, they may be held financially responsible. However, the timeline for filing against a government entity is much shorter. An attorney experienced in these types of claims may be helpful.
  • Witnesses to the intersection crash are interviewed, and the police report is reviewed for mistakes.
  • The investigators look for area road and traffic surveillance cameras. These are especially present at busy intersections and can show the accident as it happened. Videos of an accident are widely accepted as good evidence by insurance companies and when presented in court.

Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento

My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. Accidents happen when they are least expected and often leave behind injuries. When negligence by another driver was the cause, I have free and friendly advice to offer you. Contact me at (916) 921-6400 within the area code or (800) 404-5400 from outside. I can also be reached by using the online contact form.

We’ve helped Sacramento residents since 1982 with obtaining compensation for their traffic crashes, government claims, product liability lawsuits, wrongful deaths, and other cases.

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