A head-on crash in Emerald Hills sent four people to the hospital for evaluation. The driver of one vehicle had to be extricated through the roof. That driver was being evaluated for possible DUI. Three women in the other vehicle were taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries. The accident happened on Market Street in Emerald Hills. Police were at the scene conducting an investigation into what happened.

Head-On Crashes
Head-on crashes are among the worst types of accidents and often result in serious injuries or fatalities. A head-on crash typically occurs when one vehicle crosses over into the oncoming lane of traffic. The accident happens quickly and the other driver has nowhere to go, so the accident is often very severe. Depending on the speed of the vehicles and other factors, the occupants of the vehicles could suffer life-threatening injuries.

Drifting into the other lane of traffic can happen more often when a driver is drowsy or is driving under the influence of alcohol. In this case, the police suspect DUI and will be conducting blood tests to determine the driver’s blood alcohol concentration, or BAC. Luckily, the occupants of these vehicles did not seem to suffer major injuries.

What are the Most Common Causes of Crashes?
Accidents and road fatalities had been on the decline for two decades when the numbers again started to climb. There may be some reasons for this uptick in the number of accidents and injuries. One of the most commonly reported contributing factors to a car accident is driving while distracted.

Distracted driving is driving while doing something else that keeps you from paying close attention to the road. There are three main types of distracted driving including taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel, and taking your mind off the task of driving. Some activities combine more than one of these. For example, texting while driving takes your mind off driving, your hands off the wheel, and at the same time your eyes off the road.

Another common cause of accidents continues to be driving while intoxicated. In California, as in other states, the legal drinking limit is 0.08% BAC. With the influx of new car services such as Uber and Lyft, people should no longer be tempted to drive after having hit the bar. Unfortunately, it still continues to happen. As in this particular crash, driving while drunk can have serious consequences and rarely ends well. Drivers are putting themselves and others at risk when they get behind the wheel after having been drinking.

Those who were injured in a head-on crash may be entitled to compensation from the negligent driver. Certainly, when a driver crosses into the oncoming lane of traffic he is driving in a negligent manner. If you were seriously injured due to a car crash, you may seek money for your damages. Contact the experienced legal team at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea to discuss your case today.

Write a comment:

*

Your email address will not be published.

Website by