Traffic Collision on Stockton Boulevard in Sacramento
A recent traffic collision along US 50 westbound at the Stockton Boulevard off-ramp in Sacramento resulted in injury. The accident was reported around 4:10 in the afternoon when a witness to the crash called it into the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The crash involved a Nissan King Cab XE pickup and a Toyota Yaris. At least one of the vehicles had to be towed from the scene. The roadway was reopened around 4:45 p.m. The CHP is conducting an investigation into the ramp collision to determine how it happened and to assign fault. There is no word yet whether drugs or alcohol were involved. The nature and severity of the injury is unknown at this time.
Traffic Collisions Near Off and On-Ramps
Entrance and exit ramps can pose a problem for highway drivers. These ramps are the site of more accidents than other areas on a highway. Approximately 50 percent of the traffic collisions occur when a driver is exiting a ramp. The vast majority of these occur at night, in inclement weather or near a curved portion of the ramp. Many are run-off-road accidents. Speed is an important factor. Drivers often take entrance ramps at a higher speed than is considered safe and without waiting until they can safely enter the main highway.
Ways to Improve Safety of Ramp Areas
There are a number of ways that the areas on and around ramps can benefit from changes to the infrastructure. These include increasing the radii of the curves of an entrance or exit ramp to permit higher speeds. The use of traffic surveillance cameras to apprehend speeders and using a system to detect congestion and regulate traffic flow are both helpful. Another useful measure is to mount traffic alert signs to alert motorists of a slow down ahead.
Types of Injuries Suffered in a Traffic Collision
Injury types are as varied as the accidents that cause them. There are also mitigating factors such as was the person injured in the traffic collision wearing a seat belt. Some injuries resolve quickly while others are more permanent and cause lifelong disability. However, there are some that are more common than others:
- Soft tissue injury: This type of injury involves body tissues such as ligaments, muscles and tendons. One common injury is referred to as cervical sprain or whiplash. It typically involves the neck and the upper portion of the back. Cervical sprain is due to the rapid back and forth movement of the person’s upper body when the crash occurs. It is commonly associated with rear-end collisions. This often happens when motorists are entering a ramp.
- Head injury: The injuries in this category vary in terms of intensity and outcome. Some are less serious such as mild concussions, whose symptoms resolve within several months. In other cases, the blood vessels can bleed into the tissues surrounding the brain, causing pressure. This generally involves surgery to prevent permanent disability or death.
- Chest injuries: This category includes minor bruising to the chest as well as traumatic injury to the internal organs. Ribs can be fractured when the chest impacts the steering wheel. A broken rib can pierce a lung, which results in serious breathing problems. If the heart is bruised, hospitalization is needed.
- Extremity injury: At the time of the accident, especially in a side-impact traffic collision, the lower extremities can be injured. This includes fractures, some of which require surgery.
What an Attorney Can Do to Help After a Traffic Collision
At our law firm, we make every effort to obtain the compensation our clients deserve. We do this by dispatching our investigative team to the scene of the crash. They interview witnesses and determine why the crash happened using accident reconstruction techniques. Videos detailing the accident are especially important and are obtained from traffic surveillance and security cameras. Our investigators also review police reports for mistakes or other inaccuracies. Once this data is gathered, it is released to our legal team, who use it to structure a robust case in our client’s favor.
Car Accident Attorneys in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Injuries in a highway accident can be serious and require long periods of hospitalization. If this happened to you or a member of your family, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online.
I’ve assisted clients in all types of car accidents, pedestrian injuries, and other traumatic injuries.
I am proud to be a member of the following organizations:
To learn about my practice, please visit the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/highway-road-off-ramp-cars-travel-3836653/
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