A different dangerous Sacramento intersection is in the news again this week. Just a few weeks after there was a second big crash in several months at 12th and I streets downtown, a 12-year-old girl was struck by a 17 year old driver on Sutterville Road and Mead Avenue.
The girl was left in critical but stable condition after she was hit around 7:40 am while riding her bike to school.
Several residents reported that this isn’t the first time this intersection is the cause of serious injuries. Many of them stated that they’ve seen, heard, or almost been victims themselves around the intersection. One woman said that she’s always afraid of walking across the street from her house to the park because of how dangerous it is.
The location of the intersection is at Sutterville Road and Mead Avenue. There is a crosswalk that has flashing lights that are activated when pedestrians cross, but many times cars don’t see the pedestrians walking despite them having the right of way.
Neighborhood residents have requested City Council to do something about the intersection for years to no avail. City Council member Steven Hansen requested a report on the intersection with a 24-hour deadline for officials to get back to him. This comes on the heels of the Sacramento City Council recently approving funding for a study on dangerous roads and intersections in Sacramento just a few weeks ago.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Drugs and alcohol were ruled out.
We wish for a safe and speedy recovery for the bicyclist.
Top 4 Reasons for Teenage Car Accidents
Teen drivers between the ages of 16-19 are at a much higher risk of getting into a car wreck than any other age group. The following are the top 4 reasons for teen car crashes:
Experience. It goes without saying that as you practice or do something more, your skill will generally increase. Due to the lack of experience on the road, teens’ lack thereof results in slower reaction time. Because accidents can happen in a split second, experience in dealing with road conditions and distractions can mean the difference between avoiding a crash or not.
Distracted Driving. With the advent of cell phones, distracted driving is a pervasive problem no matter the age group. But teens are likely more prone to be easily distracted while driving. Distractions don’t necessarily come from using a phone or texting. They include other passengers, eating, or even adjusting the radio. Combined with the relative inexperience, it’s been found teens reaction time slows to that of drivers in the age group of 70 or older when using a cell phone and driving.
Intoxicated Driving. Teens are proven to be more open to participating in dangerous behavior. This includes getting into a vehicle with another intoxicated teen as the driver. Intoxicated driving inhibits anyone’s ability to drive, but with the added inexperience it creates an even more dangerous environment. Of all teen fatalities caused by car accidents, nearly one quarter was due to drunk driving.
Reckless Driving. As with intoxicated driving, teens are also more prone to participate in reckless or dangerous driving. While adults also speed, teens are much more likely to speed than adults. This is especially true of male teens with dangerous stunts like street-racing.
Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer
My name is Dan Hanecak and I am a Sacramento Bicycle Accident Attorney. If you were injured by the negligence of a driver, we may be able to help get your medical bills covered, missed time from work, and pain and suffering for your injuries.
Typically, these types of accidents happen on public streets. If that’s the case, it’s also possible you have a claim against the local government due to a failure to maintain or negligent design. However, it’s important to act quickly because there are different timelines for a claim against a public entity or you will waive your right to sue them.
Call me today at (916) 619-5452 to discuss your case and you’ll speak with me personally. I will provide you with free and honest advice about your personal injury claim. Or if you prefer you can fill out a form on our website and I’ll contact you directly.
