California Blog

We use a great deal of the information published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding statistics for car, truck, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents. However, we never paid very much attention to the words the NHTSA uses to describe traffic collisions involving motor vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians until this week. While researching California accident statistics, we found a curious article entitled “Crashes Aren’t Accidents Campaign.” Apparently in 1997, the NHTSA determined that “accidents” are not accidents. Using the term “accident” to describe a...

There are many reasons for large truck accidents. Some of those reasons involve the driver while other reasons involve the truck or road conditions. Being able to drive a commercial truck takes extensive training and practice. Inexperienced or inadequately trained drivers may not have the ability or the knowledge to handle a large truck’s complex brake and transmission systems. Add to this situation traffic congestion, narrow roads, severe weather, and poor road conditions, and you have a potentially dangerous scenario where others can be severely...

Fox40 News reported on a North Sacramento high-speed car accident that occurred last week in the neighborhood of Del Paso Heights. Witnesses stated they saw a vehicle speed through a stop sign immediately before the collision. The crash occurred near the intersection of Elm Street and Harris Avenue. The Sacramento Police Department was still investigating the accident, but it appears that alcohol may have been a factor in the cause of the collision. Four people were transported to the emergency room for treatment. Two of the...

Motorcycles are gaining in popularity as people search for more economical forms of transportation.  In addition, motorcycles are a wonderful way to see our beautiful state while enjoying the freedom of the open road. Many riders enjoy the sense of adventure and freedom they feel when they are riding. Sadly, motorcycles are also one of the riskiest forms of transportation because of the lack of protection for the rider in the event of a crash. Many drivers simply do not see motorcycles because they are...

Drug and alcohol use by drivers is a serious problem in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 10,265 people were killed during 2015 in alcohol-impaired driving accidents. California had the second highest number of alcohol-impaired fatalities (914) that year. It is estimated that drugs, legal and illegal, are involved in about 16% of traffic accidents. Drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs put everyone at risk. However, truck drivers who are driving under the influence of drugs or...

SLOW DOWN! How many times have you had a near miss with a speeding driver who is changing lanes erratically or running red lights? Have you been sitting a red light only to look up and see a driver approaching you at a high rate of speed? Do you want to scream at other drivers and ask them what the rush is today? We are all guilty of pushing the speed limit every once in a while when we are in a hurry or not...

If you are purchasing your teenager a car this year, safety is a priority. You want to choose a vehicle that will provide safe transportation for your child. Once you have purchased the vehicle, you should put together an “essential car kit” for your teen driver. Below is a list of essential items our car accident attorney believes you need in your car. Review each item in the car kit and explain why you should always have these items in any car they own. Spare...

When you are in a car accident, you can sustain several types of damages. In all cases, there will be some level of property damage to your vehicle from the collision. The level of damage can depend on several factors including the speed at impact, the type of vehicles involved, and the type of crash (i.e. rear-end, side impact, head-on, etc.). For crashes that result in serious injuries, the victims may not be as concerned with repairing or replacing their vehicle because they are focused...

One of the biggest expenses in a car accident case is the medical expenses. Medical bills in a car accident case can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially for traumatic injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and multiple broken bones. Unfortunately, the insurance company for the other driver does not pay any medical bills until the case is settled, which could take a year or longer. Many accident victims cannot afford to pay the hospital, doctor, and other...

CBS Sacramento reported on a hit and run accident last week that claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy. The accident happened near West Hatch Road and South Carpenter Road. According to the news report, police responded to a report of a crash just after 11 p.m. on Monday night. A Toyota sedan traveling east on Hatch Road was struck by a Dodge sedan traveling north on Carpenter Road. The driver of the Dodge left the scene of the accident but was later arrested at his...