Vehicle Loses Control on Interstate 5 in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. A July 25 accident along northbound Interstate 5 claimed the life of one person after their vehicle went out of control and plunged down an embankment. According to witnesses, the vehicle was moving at a high rate of speed before it went out of control, crossing several lanes of traffic before crashing. I would like to extend my prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased in this time of sorrow for the tragic loss of their loved one.
What Happened
The accident happened along I-5 close to the 43rd Avenue ramp shortly after 5:30 in the morning, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). This is when the female driver of a Honda SUV, age 27 and a Sacramento resident, struck several trees and the vehicle went down the embankment and overturned. The vehicle ended up between 40 and 60 feet off the roadway. When CHP and Sacramento Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene, the woman was found unresponsive. One lane of the interstate was shut down to allow for an investigation of the collision. A flatbed tow truck was brought in to remove the vehicle. It is unknown whether drugs or alcohol played a part in the collision.
Single Vehicle Accidents
When the driver of a vehicle loses control, it generally results in a collision that involves multiple vehicles. The majority of these types of car accidents are caused by driver error, such as speeding, drunk or distracted driving or fatigue. However, other reasons can come into play that contribute to single vehicle crashes. These can include:
- Poor road maintenance: Missing signs, potholes, cracks in the pavement and poor road markings can lead to accidents. Hitting a bad spot in the roadway can also affect a vehicle’s alignment and cause a crash. Besides the roadway itself, the government entity that is responsible for maintenance may be remiss in keeping low-hanging tree branches, bushes or signs in proper order. If this causes an accident, the individual who was injured may be able to seek compensation.
- Auto defects: Defective auto parts can lead to an accident with serious injuries. Brakes that fail, defective accelerators, steering wheels that come loose and other problems can cause collisions. Tire blowouts and separation are also common auto defects.
- Other drivers: Unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules of the road when driving, and others are simply careless. When this happens, another motorist can be forced off the road by a vehicle coming too close or passing in a spot where it is unsafe.
- Weather: Storms can come up quickly and cause a vehicle to go out of control. Snowy and foggy weather can also affect a vehicle’s performance on the road. Staying home isn’t always possible, so for those drivers who don’t have 4-wheel drive, adding weight in the trunk can help avoid hydroplaning on slick streets.
Government Related Lawsuits
If a government entity was responsible for an accident, it is important to adhere to the strict deadline such claims involve. It is necessary to file a claim within six months of the accident. If this is not done, the claim will not proceed. Once a claim is submitted, the government has 45 days to respond. If it denies the claim, an individual has six months to file a lawsuit. On the other hand, if the government does not respond at all, the person has 2 years to file a lawsuit from the time of the accident.
Defective Product Lawsuits
Under the doctrine of strict liability in California, mistakes in the manufacture, design or lack of proper warning about an auto product can be used as a basis for a product liability lawsuit. It is not necessary to prove negligence. Rather, it must be shown that the defective product caused the injury because the item had inherent dangers associated with it. By eliminating proof of negligence from the equation, it makes it easier for the average person to hold a company/party liable for the financial loss they suffered. The only restriction is that the product was used in a reasonably foreseeable way.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Being injured in a car accident can result from driver error or auto defects. If that happened to you, filing a claim against the negligent party can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Alternately, if someone you love was killed in such an accident, it is possible to file a wrongful death lawsuit or a survival action. In either case, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free and friendly advice.
I’ve helped numerous Sacramento residents in the past 36 years as their personal injury lawyer in all types of car accidents and traumatic brain injury.
I am a California member of the Million Dollar Advocates. We are a nationwide group of trial attorneys who have won in excess of $1 million for a client.
If you want to see more information about my practice, turn to the following pages where you can see my client and peer reviews as well as the way I resolved previous cases:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/car-accident-broken-glass-splatter-337764/
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