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California Launches Effort to Fix Dangerous Highway 193

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
road constructionRural, winding California highways can be beautiful and scenic. Yet, many of these same roads present dangerous conditions for motorists, including Highway 193 in the Newcastle area. Over a four year span, there were 34 collisions, including three fatalities, along a particularly curvy 1.1-mile segment of Highway 193. All but one of the collisions were single-vehicle accidents, involving the driver rolling their vehicle over or swerving off the highway and hitting a pole or tree. Law enforcement officials have stated that impaired driving due to drugs or alcohol was not a contributing factor in these accidents. Instead, the winding and twisting layout of the road itself is the presumed cause of the accidents. In response to these prevalent collisions, the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) launched a $17.4 million construction project to increase roadway safety on Highway 193 and several other rural roads throughout the state. The project includes removing obstructions that cause blind spots, widening highways, paving roadway shoulders and straightening dangerous curves. On Highway 193, the stretch from Clark Tunnel Road to Mandarin Hill Road is considered the most hazardous. For this reason, construction crews will begin working in this area first. The improvements are expected to take approximately two years, with a completion date tentatively set for the beginning of 2018. The project also addresses the tendency of wildlife to cross rural roadways. A tunnel will be constructed under Highway 193 to encourage animals to cross at a safe distance from vehicles. According to local biologists, animals that find themselves on Highway 193 are likely attempting to follow the nearby creek, a natural migratory path. While the upcoming changes will improve the safety of drivers and animals alike, motorists are still urged to take necessary precautions when traveling on Highway 193. Remember to obey posted speed limits and wear your seat belt. Even after the tunnel is complete, wildlife officials still warn motorists to watch for animals crossing roads in rural areas. If you or someone you love has been injured due to collisions resulting from dangerous roadways, contact a proven Sacramento auto accident lawyer at Arnold Law Firm today. A personal injury lawyer from our firm can help determine your legal options and help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Call (916) 777-7777 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.