A fiery crash near Sacramento, occurring about 1:30 a.m. on Friday in Fair Oaks, has left four people dead and two more hospitalized with serious injuries.
According to a California Highway Patrol spokesman, two vehicles collided head on, resulting in a fiery crash. One of the vehicles, a Buick LeSabre, was carrying five passengers and, upon impact, caught fire. Sadly, four of the passengers were killed either upon impact or by fire. By the time authorities had arrived on the scene, the car was fully engulfed in flames. One of the passengers was taken from the vehicle alive, but is currently in the hospital in critical condition. The other vehicle involved was a Subaru. The driver suffered serious injuries and was also taken to the hospital, but is in stable condition. Currently, the identities of those killed in the crash have not been released, pending family notification.
The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash. They have concluded that speed appears to have played a role, and that some of the deceased passengers were not wearing their seatbelts. According to Officer Chad Hertzell, the California Highway Patrol spokesman, “Everything was just tossed around. It’s very difficult for us to investigate.” Authorities will be conducting toxicology reports to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.
Seat Belts and Speed are Important Factors in Crashes
Two of the most important factors in surviving a crash is if the passenger was wearing a seat belt and how fast the vehicle was going. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among the 1-54 age group in the U.S. They have determined that more than 2.2 million adult drivers and passengers have been treated in emergency departments as the result of being injured in motor vehicle crashes, just in 2012! Their research has shown that seat belt use is the most effective way to protect oneself during a crash, reducing your risk of crash-related injury and death by half.
Likewise, speed plays a key role. According to statistics, speed occurs in 33 percent of all fatal crashes, and is the third leading contributor of traffic accidents. Statistically, that is about 13,000 lives lost each year due to speeding. Speeding is also known to be linked with more risky behavior, like not wearing a seat belt or distracted driving.
Those who have been injured in an accident may find that the other party was involved in risky behavior, such as speeding. This risky behavior could mean that the other driver is at fault for the accident, and should be held responsible for any damages you have suffered. These damages can include compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and even lost wages due to the inability to work because of your injuries. When you are facing a personal injury suit, it is imperative that you seek legal counsel. A professional personal injury attorney will see that your rights are exercised and that you present the best case for receiving compensation. When you are facing hardships due to an accident, seek the compensation for damages you deserve. Contact a personal injury attorney today.
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