Are There Unique Considerations for Accidents Occurring on Bridges or Near Waterways in West Sacramento?

When you are seriously injured in any type of motor vehicle accident on or near bridges or waterways in West Sacramento, you may have serious concerns about how your life will be affected. These types of claims have unique considerations to be aware of as you navigate the claims process. With help from a knowledgeable and experienced West Sacramento car accident lawyer at Triumph Law, you can pursue the compensation you are entitled to without having to worry about these technicalities.

Your West Sacramento personal injury attorney will be responsible for making sure you understand these considerations and building a powerful case against the liable party. Read on to learn more about the types of accidents that occur near waterways or on bridges and the unique ways your case could be affected. Contact our office for a free consultation today to find out whether you have grounds for a claim and how much your case could be worth.

Types of Accidents that Occur on Bridges and Near Waterways in West Sacramento

West Sacramento is home to some of the most frequently used highways and bridges near waterways. This also means these roadways are often congested, leading to an increased risk of severe car accidents and injuries. Whether you are traveling across the Guy West Bridge, I Street Bridge, or even the Tower Bridge, you may be far more likely to suffer injuries in one or more of the following types of accidents:

• Lane change accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Sideswipe accidents
• Merging accidents
• Chain reaction accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Drunk driving accidents
• Failure to yield accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• T-bone accidents
• Tire blowouts
• Multi-vehicle car accidents
• Drowsy driving accidents
• Impaired driving accidents
• Single car accidents
• Car accidents involving big rigs

These are only a few examples of accidents that often occur on bridges and near waterways. If you were seriously injured in another type of collision that was not listed above, do not feel as though hope is lost. Contact a reputable West Sacramento personal injury lawyer at Triumph Law to explore your legal options for financial relief.

Causes of West Sacramento Bridge and Waterway Accidents

Your attorney will be responsible for closely evaluating the type of accident you were involved in so we can determine the cause of the accident. Often, multiple parties are found to share liability for the victim’s injuries. Here are some of the top causes of waterway and bridge accidents and parties who may be held accountable:

Collisions with Other Lanes of Traffic

Negligent swerving is one of the most common ways bridge accidents occur. When one vehicle swerves into another lane of traffic, the following vehicles will need to attempt to avoid crashing into the one that swerved into their lane. This could result in a multi-car crash or vehicle pile-up. 

Since swerving accidents on bridges leave little room for drivers in other lanes of traffic to get out of the way, rear-end collisions and head-on collisions may be more likely.

Bridge Side Impacts

Any time drivers operating vehicles in lanes of traffic closest to the sides of the bridge are at a greater risk of striking the bridge’s side barriers. These are designed to prevent vehicles from falling onto underpasses or off of the bridge and into the water, but when drivers impact the side of a bridge, the side barriers could fail, ultimately allowing the vehicle to enter the waterways below. 

Crashing into the side barriers may prevent vehicles from falling off of the bridge and into the water, but there is still a significant risk of catastrophic injury when a vehicle crashes into a stationary object.

Inclement Weather Accidents

It might surprise you to learn that when the weather gets cold, bridges will freeze before roads do, which is partially because the underside of bridges is not protected from inclement weather. 

The entire purpose of a bridge is to allow motor vehicles to pass over waterways, and when the water below freezes more quickly than the concrete, black ice can develop on the road, which is extremely dangerous for all motorists on the roads. Black ice cannot be seen, so drivers may not be aware of the hazardous road conditions until it is too late.

Underpass and Overpass Accidents

Bridges can also include underpasses and overpasses. Some of the most common types of overpass and underpass accidents involve commercial trucks that exceed the height limitations of an overpass. It can also happen if truck drivers fail to take into account the height limit of the trailer portion of the truck.

Visibility Hazards Near Waterways and on Bridges

Visibility is significantly diminished on bridges, particularly when commercial trucks are traveling across them. It can be more challenging to figure out where your exit is or which road you need to take when an enormous tractor-trailer is blocking your view. When drivers cannot see the exit or entrance lanes of traffic, collisions are far more likely.

Unique Considerations Involving West Sacramento Bridge Accidents

There are several considerations that are unique to bridge and waterway accidents in West Sacramento. It is important to be aware of these, as they could have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Some of these considerations include:

• When vehicles crash through barriers and fall into the water, passengers and motorists are more likely to suffer from traumatic brain injury, hypothermia, or even fatal injuries caused by drowning.
• Many motorists traveling across bridges are visitors and more likely to be from out of state. This could make it more difficult for victims to hold liable parties accountable.

Many bridges and accidents near waterways are similar to other types of motor vehicle accidents. You can expect your car accident attorney to carefully investigate and work with accident reconstructionists to determine how the accident occurred and who is ultimately responsible. This will allow us to hold the at-fault party accountable and demand total financial compensation for your damages.

Get in Touch with a Car Accident Attorney in West Sacramento, CA, Today

Having a reputable West Sacramento car accident lawyer working on your case means the unique considerations associated with your waterway or bridge motor vehicle wreck may not prevent you from covering the compensation that is rightfully yours. 

Our team will be ready to challenge the liable party when they blame you for causing the accident and present valuable evidence that proves negligence and fault. You have a chance to demand total financial compensation for your suffering.

Do not let the at-fault party get away with their negligence. Request a 100% free consultation with our personal injury team at Triumph Law today. You can reach us through our online contact form or by phone to start working on your case.