A car accident in Sacramento caused injuries to three people after two cars collided on Highway 50. The Sacramento Bee reports that the accident occurred the afternoon of April 26, 2010. An older couple was in a vehicle in the slow lane when a 19-year-old driver approached them from behind at a higher rate of speed. Unable to stop in time to avoid a rear-end collision, the driver swerved and struck the couple's vehicle. Both the vehicles overturned. All three were taken to a nearby hospital, but no one suffered life-threatening injuries, officials said.

I hope and pray no one sustained any serious injuries in this collision. It could have definitely been a lot worse. I wish these victims the very best for a quick and full recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

Countywide, there were 84 deaths and 7,874 injuries involving car accidents in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In 2008, 28 people died and 3,566 were injured in Sacramento as a result of car accidents.

Laws and Liability Issues

California's Basic Speed Law (V.C. section 22350) states: "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

I trust officials are looking into whether there were other factors than speed in this collision. Was the young driver distracted (talking on the cell phone, texting)? Was he impaired or otherwise negligent? Was he inattentive? If the teenager is determined to have caused this accident, then he could be held liable for the other victims' injuries, damages and losses. Victims can be compensated in such cases for medical expenses and other related damages.

Victims or their families would be well-advised to consult an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of this crash and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

Have you been involved in a car accident in which speed was a factor?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.