Sacramento Traffic Crash Sends Two to Hospital

Accident on Elkhorn Boulevard Involves Three Vehicles

A traffic crash involving three vehicles occurred in Sacramento on May 8. The accident happened along Elkhorn Boulevard between Walerga Road and Butterball Way around 12:07 p.m. and involved a Ford Explorer, Honda and silver sedan. The accident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the silver sedan had struck a tree, and the driver of the black Honda was pinned and unable to get out of their vehicle. 

One Driver May Have Suffered a Medical Emergency

Sacramento Fire Department rescue personnel and firemen arrived to extricate the driver and determined that one of the injured may have suffered a medical emergency. Two people involved in the traffic crash were transported to a hospital for additional care and evaluation. Tow trucks were called to the scene to remove the vehicles. The CHP is conducting an investigation to find out why the traffic crash happened and to assign fault. 

Driving and Medical Conditions

The Department of Motor Vehicles in California has the ability to suspend a driver’s license if he/she has a medical condition that might prevent them from operating a vehicle safely. The DMV is not only concerned about safety when it involves certain medical conditions but medications some people are taking which might affect their ability to handle a vehicle safely. Some of the conditions that could lead to a California driver having their license suspended include:

  • Epilepsy/seizure disorders
  • Diabetes
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Cardiac problems
  • Pulmonary disorders
  • Addiction
  • Problems with vision
  • Alzheimer’s or dementia

California operates by the sudden emergency doctrine, which makes those with undetermined health issues while driving not liable for accident injuries. However, those who continue to drive when their licenses have been suspended for health reasons may be considered at fault and held responsible. If the individual had a health condition that he/she ignored, such as not eating during the day and being diabetic, that person might be held responsible. An injury lawyer can investigate the case and determine whether or not the person with the medical condition can be held liable if they caused the traffic crash.

Recovery of Damages in a Traffic Crash

People who have been injured by someone else’s negligent actions may be able to recover compensation, which includes:

  • Medical bills associated with the traffic crash can be recovered. Medical bills refer to the ambulance, hospital costs, physicians’ bills, tests and other procedures, medications, and rehabilitative care. Expenses that arise out of pocket can also be recovered, such as the cost of gasoline to travel to and from a doctor’s appointment. If the injury continues into the future that requires additional care, those expenses can be recovered.
  • Wages lost from the inability to work because of the accident can be recovered. Wages refer not only to the injured party’s salary but include any bonuses, insurance and pension and others. If the individual who was injured is self-employed, tax records and others can be used to establish earnings.
  • Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages because they have no set monetary value. However, an injured person can recover damages for their pain and suffering. In addition to the obvious physical discomfort, they can recover compensation for their emotional and psychological pain. Many people suffer the aftereffects of an accident with anxiety, sleeplessness or nightmares, depression, and other symptoms.

Best Car Accident Lawyers in Sacramento

I am Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. When accident injuries occur, the at-fault driver may be held responsible for the cost of your lost wages, medical bills, and additional losses. Contact us at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice on whether you can file a claim and find out about options you can access to recover damages. If you prefer, you can also reach us online.

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Photo attribution: Image by Valter Cirillo from Pixabay

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