Rear-End Collision on U.S 50 in West Sacramento

Accident Occurs Near Jefferson Boulevard Exit Ramp 

On March 11, a Mustang was involved in a rear-end collision with a sedan along eastbound U.S. 50 at the Jefferson Boulevard exit ramp in West Sacramento. The accident near Pioneer Bridge occurred around 7:42 in the morning during heavy traffic and left one of the two vehicles undrivable. Both vehicles were blocking the number one lane along the highway, according to the report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Fire department emergency responders arrived and determined that no injuries had resulted from the crash. The incident is under investigation by the CHP to determine how it occurred. It was not reported whether alcohol or drugs were a factor. 

Injuries in a Rear-End Collision

Many people think that a simple rear-end collision cannot result in injuries. However, this depends on the force of impact. If the vehicle to the rear is traveling at a speed over 15 mph, the force of impact can result in injuries, primarily to the neck. Neck injuries, formally called cervical strain or sprain, are also referred to as whiplash. More than 200,000 cases of this type of injury occur each year. 

What Causes Neck Injury in a Rear-End Collision

Cervical strain and sprains are caused by the forceful movement of the head back and forth when one vehicle impacts another in a whip-like fashion. Depending on the forcefulness of the impact, the vertebral bones can be injured. On occasion, the spongy disk that protects the bones from rubbing against one another can slip, resulting in irritation to the nerves that exit the spinal cord. This is called a herniated disk. Symptoms vary. Some people experience immediate neck discomfort, while for others, the symptoms may be delayed. Some of the more common symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears and pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, or upper back. Symptoms can last for weeks or months, causing significant physical and financial pain. This is why it is important to enlist the help of an experienced lawyer to get compensation for your injuries.

Liability in a Rear-End Collision

Liability in a rear-end collision is often straightforward. For instance, a motorist waiting at a traffic light may be hit by a distracted driver who was not paying attention. The driver to the rear is liable for the accident. In other cases, a lead vehicle with non-working brake lights may slow down suddenly, giving the motorist in the rear a false sense of security that traffic is proceeding normally. Here, the fault is split between the two drivers, and liability is more challenging to establish. Once again, having a lawyer at your side as you attempt to collect damages is essential.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help in a Rear-End Collision

At our firm, we dispatch our investigative team to the accident site to determine what happened. They speak to witnesses and obtain video of the accident from traffic light security cameras and those on nearby businesses. This shows the accident in real-time, which is important to establish negligence. Our investigators review official reports of the accident for mistakes. Once all the data is compiled, it is released to our lawyers to build a robust case for our client.

West Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a West Sacramento car accident lawyer. Injuries are common even in low-speed rear-end collisions. If you suffered an injury because of a negligent driver, I may be able to help. Call me for my free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400. Long-distance callers can reach me at (800) 404-5400 or by messaging me online.

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I am honored to have helped many West Sacramento residents for over 38 years to obtain compensation for any type of traffic accident, wrongful deaths, and traumatic injuries. 

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