Fatal Car Crash Incidents from Wisconsin to Oakland Leave Drivers Shaken
By: Shannon Brown, Car Insurance Analyst
CheaperCarInsurance.com
A recent rash of car crashes and accidents has caused more than 20 injuries and several deaths in the last few days. While the accidents were unrelated, the number of accidents has understandably bothered drivers nationwide.
38 Car Pileup in Wisconsin
A major car crash in Wisconsin involved 38 cars piling up in Kakauna on Friday. Foggy driving conditions may have led to the major accident as drivers attempted their morning commute. Fifteen of the drivers involved went to the hospital with minor injuries, and just one had more severe injuries and was listed in serious condition.
Austin Bus Stop Fatalities
In Austin, two women were killed at a bus stop when a driver lost control and ran into the women. One died at the scene of the car crash, and the other died at the hospital. There is no word on what caused the car to lose control, and there was no indication that the driver had been intoxicated. The driver was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
Oakland Death and Injuries from Car Crash
In Oakland, California, an accident near the Oakland airport killed one man and seriously injured two others when a pickup truck and car collided at an intersection. Oakland Police are investigating the cause of the accident.
Sacramento Hit and Run Fatalities
Elsewhere in California, Sacramento police are searching for the driver who drove a Lincoln that hit an Acura and killed three young men. The Acura caught fire and three of the four passengers died instantly. The fourth was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Lincoln fled the scene. Police are working to determine whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the car crash.
Houston Metro Train and Car Collide
A metro train in Houston hit a vehicle Saturday, causing injury to two people in the car and three on the train. All had non-life threatening injuries. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the train and car crash.
Don’t Become a Statistic
Car crashes are on the rise, but that doesn’t mean you have to be involved in one. Taking precautions can keep you safe on the road. Here are some tips to reduce your risk of getting in a car accident.
- Drive the speed limit and obey all traffic signs
- When in doubt whose turn it is at a stop sign, yield to the person to your right
- Slow down near erratic drivers and stay safely behind them
- Don’t drive when tired
- Avoid looking into oncoming headlights at night
- Try not to drive during heavy traffic times, such as rush hour
- Do not drive when angry or frustrated
- Never drive when under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Avoid distractions, such as using your cell phone or listening to loud music, while driving
If You Get in an Accident
If you do get into a car crash, remain calm. Make sure you are not injured before you get out of the vehicle and move slowly in case you do have an injury, or stay put. Next, make sure the other driver is not injured. Call 911 if there are injuries or if the accident is more serious than a small fender bender.
Assess the damage to your vehicle and exchange car insurance information with the other driver. Do not assign fault; your insurance company will do that. Take photos of the damage if you have a camera or camera phone available.
It’s a good idea to store an emergency contact number in your phone in case you are injured and police officers need to contact your family. Store it as ICE (In Case of Emergency) in your phone.
Posted: March 07, 2010
