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Left-Turning Accident Involving Two Vehicles Kills Passenger

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
Sacramento Car Accident LawyersA 41-year-old woman from Sacramento County died in a two-car accident on Friday. The Sacramento County coroners office revealed that the woman was a passenger in one of the vehicles. The accident occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m., when the two vehicles collided at the intersection of Power Inn and Fruitridge. One was turning westbound onto Fruitridge Road, when another vehicle traveling southbound on Power Inn Road struck the car. The passenger was initially transported to a hospital before dying from serious injuries. The cause of the accident remains unclear. Authorities are still investigating, but no one has been arrested, and drug and alcohol use is not suspected. As experienced Sacramento car accident attorneys, we are familiar with the devastation that can be caused by an accident like this. That is why we are committed to helping you fight for the compensation you need after an accident.

The Dangers of Left-Turn Accidents

Intersections are potentially dangerous places, and left turns are among the most hazardous maneuvers that drivers conduct on a daily basis. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates more than 50 percent of accidents at intersections involve left turns. Studies show that drivers who are making left–turns often underestimate the speed of oncoming cars. Additionally, many of these accidents are fatal because the oncoming vehicle strikes the driver or passenger door. The driver making the left turn is often considered to be at fault in left-turn accidents.  In California, the law requires drivers who are turning left to yield the right-of-way to oncoming cars. Drivers must ensure that turning left does not interfere with oncoming traffic. Rushing through a left turn may cause the driver to misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic and the consequences can be catastrophic.  In this case, a woman lost her life because the drivers did not wait until the intersection was clear. At the Arnold Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers in Sacramento work hard to ensure that auto accident victims get the justice that they deserve. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident, contact an attorney at our law firm.

Call (916) 777-7777 or use the Free Case Evaluation today.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.