The Most Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents

When the Airola Law Offices receives calls from prospective clients regarding auto accidents in Sacramento,motorcycle accidents in Sacramento, bicycle accidents in Sacramento or pedestrian accidents in Sacramentothey usually involve: Unsafe speed for conditions; driving on the wrong side of the road; improper and unsafe turns; violating the right-of-way rules; violating stop signals and signs; and driver distractions. In fact, most authorities agree that these aremost common causes of automobile wrecks in Sacramento. So, when you are driving, please keep these things in mind. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle crash in Sacramentobe sure to contact a Sacramento personal injury lawyer to obtain advice about your rights.

Collisions are Not Accidents

I have heard the phrase many times, “It was only an accident.”  But, when motor vehicles are concerned, there are no “accidents”.  When the California Highway Patrol, or other law enforcement agency comes to the scene of an “accident” and does their investigation, they are looking to attached “fault” to one or more of the parties involved in the “accident”.  When an insurance claim is made as a result of an “accident” the insurance company conducts an investigation in order to attach “fault” to someone.  That is how the insurance company decides whether they are going to pay damages, or not.  There are situations where both parties to an “accident” are to blame.  But, the point is, when a motor vehicle “accident” occurs, someone is at fault.  This is why the 2012 California Department of Motor Vehicles Handbook points out that “Collisions are not Accidents.  People call me all the time and ask “How do I determine who was at fault for my auto accident?”  A Sacramento auto accident lawyer can help you determine who is responsible for a motor vehicle collision.  Sacramento auto accident attorneys can discuss the facts of your particular situation with you and determine which section or sections of the California Vehicle Code applies to your case.

Legal and Illegal U-Turns in California

Illegal U-turns are very dangerous.  In California many people are injured orkilled when someone makes an illegal U-turn.  The law about U-turns in California is contained in California Vehicle Code Section 21801.  That law says: (a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety. (b) A driver having yielded as prescribed in subdivision (a), and having given a signal when and as required by this code, may turn left or complete a U-turn, and the drivers of vehicles approaching the intersection or the entrance to the property or alley from the opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the turning vehicle.

According to the 2012 California Driver Handbook, a person should never make a U-turn in the following situations:  At railway crossings; on divided highways; where there is not clear vision for at least 200 feet in each direction; if a “No U-Turn” sign is posted; when other vehicles are too close to may hit you; on a one-way street; in front of a fire station; or in business districts.  On the other hand, legal U-turns can be made: Across a double yellow line when it is safe and legal; in a residential district if no vehicles are within 200 feet of your vehicle; at a traffic sign, light or signal when you are protected from approaching vehicles; at an intersection on a green light unless posted otherwise; or on a divided highway only if there is an opening provided in the center divider.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Sacramento auto accident involving an illegal U-turn you should contact a Sacramento personal injuryattorney to discuss your case.

Young Man is Victim of a Sacramento Motorcycle Accident

A young man was the victim of a Sacramento motorcycle accident.  According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, his vehicle collided with a car having trouble making a U-turn near Wyda Way and Howe Avenue in Sacramento, California.  The accident happened at about 9:50 p.m.  When it was clear on southbound Howe Avenue, the driver began to make the U-turn, but there was not enough room to complete that maneuver.  Consequently, he stopped with his car facing in the southwest direction on southbound Howe Avenue.  Lijin Xu, 23, of Sacramento, was riding his motorcycle southbound on Howe Avenue and was approaching Wyda Way. Apparently Xu was unable to stop and the two vehicles collided.  Xu suffered fatal injuries. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Xu family for their tragic loss.