A tragic accident in Merced County claimed the life of one driver and sent another driver to the hospital. The fatal collision took place on Sunday in eastern Atwater at the intersection of Avenue 2 and El Rodebaugh Court on April 4, 2021.
KFSN-TV reported officers were called to a report of an injury traffic collision there. They arrived on the scene to find a white GMC Acadia and a gray Hyundai had been in a serious collision.
The driver of the Acadia was declared dead on the scene. The driver of the Hyundai was taken to the hospital with injuries.
Investigators haven’t released what led to the crash.
Intersection Traffic Dangers in Atwater in 2020
Intersections are designed to regulate the flow of traffic when two or more roads meet up. Those spots will see the most vehicle interaction around Atwater and require the most attention from local drivers to ensure everyone’s safety.
Unfortunately, that duty to take extra time to monitor all directions at an intersection can go ignored by careless drivers. It’s that inattention that can put everyone in harm’s way as high-speed impacts are possible from any direction.
In preliminary 2020 car accident statistics from Atwater County and Merced County, the dangers could easily be spotlighted. California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) found that Merced County recorded 1,383 collisions for the year leading to 44 tragic deaths and more than 1,900 injuries. Around a third of those accidents occurred in and around intersections.
In Atwater, 2020 brought with it 88 vehicle collisions and left 633 victims suffering injuries. Almost half of those accidents in Atwater occurred in and around intersections.
For some reason, drivers seem to make more mistakes at intersections. It may be the added pressure of the multiple directions and vehicles to monitor. It may be the result of some motorists not knowing the traffic laws that are meant to keep intersection travel safe.
No matter the reason, safer designs for intersections, including adding traffic lights, and driver education is key to preventing such frightening and tragic accidents at crossroads.
Help for Victims and Families After Atwater Accidents
If you’ve lost a loved one in a tragic accident or you or a family member was hurt after a mistake by another driver you should talk to a legal expert about your options. Insurance companies representing at-fault drivers aren’t required to tell you about your rights and the protections available to victims.
Victims and their families are permitted to file a claim against an at-fault driver’s insurance provider to help protect them from the expenses that arise after an accident. Be sure to speak to an attorney in your area about your family’s options. You can visit our page for Atwater car accident victims for more information.
