On a Sunday afternoon near Marconi Avenue in Sacramento County, a collision at the intersection of Fulton Avenue resulted in injuries to three people, including a 5-year-old child. According to the California Highway Patrol, the broadside crash occurred when a woman driving an SUV attempted to turn onto southbound Fulton Avenue from a parking lot on the east side of the road. What made this accident particularly troubling was that none of the occupants in either vehicle were wearing seat belts. This factor likely contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained.
How the Broadside Crash Occurred
The California Highway Patrol began releasing information about the incident around 1:45 p.m. According to their investigation, the SUV driver was attempting to make a turn onto southbound Fulton Avenue from a parking lot just south of Marconi Avenue. As she entered the roadway, vehicles in the No. 2 lane stopped to allow her to proceed. However, a sedan traveling in the No. 1 lane at approximately 40 mph was unable to stop in time and broadsided the SUV on the driver’s side.
This type of collision—known as a broadside or T-bone crash—is hazardous because the side of a vehicle provides less protection than the front or rear. The force of impact is directed at the passenger compartment, where occupants are most vulnerable. When combined with the absence of seat belts, the risk of serious injury increases dramatically.
The dynamics of this particular crash illustrate a common and hazardous traffic scenario that frequently occurs on busy roads throughout California. When the SUV began its turn onto Fulton Avenue, the driver likely relied on the courtesy of motorists in the No. 2 lane who had stopped to wave her through. However, this created a classic “multiple-threat” or “wave-of-death” situation, where the stopped vehicles obscured the SUV driver’s view of traffic approaching in the adjacent lane. Meanwhile, the sedan driver in the No. 1 lane may not have anticipated a vehicle crossing into their path, especially if their view was also partially blocked by the stopped traffic.
At 40 mph, the sedan would have been traveling approximately 59 feet per second, leaving very little reaction time once the SUV became visible. The resulting T-bone impact—with the whole front end of the sedan striking the driver’s side of the SUV—concentrated massive force on the most vulnerable part of the vehicle, where there is minimal crush space between the exterior and the occupants inside. This type of collision geometry, combined with the moderate speed and the complete absence of seat belt use, created the perfect storm for the injuries that followed.
Injuries Sustained in the Accident
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District transported three patients to the hospital following the collision. The woman driving the SUV and a 5-year-old boy who was seated in the rear of the sedan both sustained moderate injuries and required immediate medical attention. Other individuals involved in the crash complained of pain, though the extent of their injuries was not immediately specified.
The fact that all three hospitalized victims were unrestrained raises serious concerns about what could have been a preventable escalation of injury severity. Seat belts are designed to distribute crash forces across the stronger parts of the body and prevent occupants from being ejected or thrown around inside the vehicle. Without this protection, even moderate-speed collisions can result in significant harm.
The Life-Saving Importance of Seat Belts
California law requires all vehicle occupants to wear seat belts, and for good reason. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts reduce the risk of death for front-seat passengers by 45 percent and the risk of serious injury by 50 percent. For children, proper restraint systems—including car seats, booster seats, and seat belts appropriate for their age and size—are even more critical.
In this Sacramento County crash, the 5-year-old child should have been secured in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, depending on their height and weight. California Vehicle Code Section 27360 requires children under two years old to be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat. Children under eight years old must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint system, unless they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Even after outgrowing booster seats, children must continue to use seatbelts until they reach adulthood.
The absence of seat belts in this collision not only endangered lives but may also affect any potential legal claims arising from the accident. Failure to wear a seat belt can be used as evidence of comparative negligence in California, potentially reducing the amount of compensation an injured party can recover.
Determining Fault in Intersection Collisions
Establishing liability in this type of accident requires a careful examination of multiple factors. The SUV driver was attempting to turn from a parking lot onto a busy street, which placed specific responsibilities on her to ensure the maneuver could be completed safely. California Vehicle Code Section 21804 requires drivers entering a highway from a private road or driveway to yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway.
However, the fact that vehicles in the No. 2 lane stopped to allow the SUV to proceed complicates the situation. This created what is sometimes called a “visual obstruction” scenario, where the stopped vehicles may have blocked the SUV driver’s view of traffic in the adjacent lane. At the same time, the sedan driver traveling in the No. 1 lane had a duty to maintain awareness of their surroundings and control their speed appropriately for conditions.
The California Highway Patrol’s investigation will likely examine several key questions: Did the SUV driver adequately check for traffic in all lanes before proceeding? Was the sedan driver traveling at an appropriate speed given the traffic conditions? Did the stopped vehicles in the No. 2 lane contribute to the collision by creating a blind spot? These determinations will be crucial in establishing fault and liability for the injuries that occurred.
Common Injuries in Broadside Crashes
T-bone accidents like this one frequently result in serious injuries due to the limited protection offered by a vehicle’s side structure. Common injuries include:
Head and brain injuries: Occupants may strike their heads against windows, door frames, or other interior surfaces, potentially causing concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
Neck and spinal injuries: The sudden lateral force can cause whiplash, herniated discs, or more severe spinal cord damage.
Chest and abdominal injuries: Broken ribs, lung contusions, and internal organ damage can occur from the impact force or contact with interior components.
Pelvic and leg injuries: The intrusion of the striking vehicle into the passenger compartment often causes fractures and soft tissue damage to the lower body.
For children, who have developing bodies and less resilient bones and tissues, these injuries can be even more severe and have longer-lasting consequences. The moderate injuries sustained by the 5-year-old in this accident may require ongoing medical treatment and monitoring.
The biomechanics of side-impact collisions make them particularly devastating because the human body is not designed to absorb lateral forces of this magnitude. Unlike frontal crashes, where the body moves forward into airbags and seat belts that distribute forces across the chest and pelvis, side impacts subject occupants to sudden acceleration perpendicular to the spine. This can cause the head to whip violently sideways, the torso to rotate and compress, and internal organs to shift within the body cavity—all movements that dramatically increase the likelihood of serious injury.
Without seat belts, occupants become projectiles within the vehicle, potentially striking the opposite side of the car, other passengers, or being partially or fully ejected through windows or doors. The 5-year-old child in this Sacramento crash was especially vulnerable, as children’s larger head-to-body ratios, incomplete skeletal development, and softer tissues make them more susceptible to traumatic injuries even in moderate-speed collisions.
Additionally, the psychological trauma of such a violent event can manifest in children as anxiety, fear of riding in vehicles, sleep disturbances, and post-traumatic stress that may require professional counseling alongside physical medical treatment. The classification of “moderate injuries” in this case likely encompasses a range of potential harm from lacerations and contusions to possible fractures or internal injuries that will need careful monitoring and follow-up care to ensure proper healing and to identify any complications that may arise in the days and weeks following the crash.
Legal Rights of Accident Victims
Victims injured in traffic collisions have the right to seek compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. In California, injury claims are typically based on negligence—the failure of one party to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another.
To establish a negligence claim, an injured party must demonstrate that the at-fault driver owed them a duty of care, breached that duty through careless or reckless conduct, and directly caused injuries and damages as a result. In intersection collisions, this often involves proving violations of right-of-way laws or failure to maintain proper lookout.
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means that even if an injured party bears some responsibility for the accident, they can still recover damages reduced by their percentage of fault. However, as mentioned earlier, failure to wear a seat belt may be considered comparative negligence. It could reduce the compensation available, particularly for injuries that would have been prevented or lessened by proper restraint use.
For the family of the injured 5-year-old, the situation is particularly concerning. Parents and guardians have a legal responsibility to ensure children are properly restrained while traveling in vehicles. If the child was not in an appropriate car seat or booster seat as required by California law, this could complicate their ability to recover full compensation for the child’s injuries, even if another driver was primarily at fault for the collision.
Steps to Take After a Collision
If you or a loved one is involved in a traffic accident, taking the proper steps in the immediate aftermath can protect both your health and your legal rights:
Seek medical attention immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions may not manifest symptoms right away. A medical evaluation creates documentation of your injuries and their connection to the accident.
Report the accident to law enforcement. A police report provides an official record of the collision and often includes the investigating officer’s assessment of how it occurred.
Gather information at the scene. If possible, collect contact and insurance information from other drivers, take photographs of the vehicle damage and the accident scene, and obtain contact information from any witnesses.
Avoid making statements about fault. Be cooperative with law enforcement, but avoid admitting fault or making detailed statements about how the accident occurred until you have consulted with an attorney.
Preserve evidence. Keep all medical records, repair estimates, and other documentation related to the accident and your injuries.
Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can evaluate your case, protect your rights, and handle communications with insurance companies while you focus on recovery.
The Role of Insurance in Accident Claims
California requires all drivers to carry a minimum level of liability insurance to cover damages they may cause to others. However, these minimum limits may not be sufficient to compensate victims of serious accidents fully. When injuries are severe or multiple parties are injured, insurance coverage can quickly be exhausted.
In cases where the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance, injured parties may be able to turn to their own underinsured motorist coverage for additional compensation. This type of coverage is designed to protect you when another driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your losses.
Insurance companies, whether your own or the at-fault driver’s, are businesses focused on minimizing payouts. They may attempt to settle claims quickly for less than their actual value, or argue that injuries were not as severe as claimed or were pre-existing. Having experienced legal representation ensures that your claim is valued correctly and that you are not taken advantage of during the claims process.
Sacramento County Traffic Safety Concerns
This collision near Marconi Avenue highlights ongoing traffic safety concerns throughout Sacramento County. Fulton Avenue is a major north-south arterial that experiences heavy traffic volumes, making it particularly important for drivers to exercise caution when entering or crossing the roadway.
Intersections and areas where vehicles enter from parking lots or side streets require heightened awareness from all road users. Drivers on the main roadway must be prepared for cars entering traffic, while those entering must ensure they can do so safely without forcing other vehicles to take evasive action.
Local authorities and traffic safety advocates continue to work together to reduce collisions through improved infrastructure, traffic calming measures, and public education campaigns. However, individual driver behavior remains the most critical factor in preventing accidents.
Protecting Children as Passengers
The injury to the 5-year-old child in this accident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of young passengers and the critical importance of proper restraints. Parents and caregivers should ensure they understand and follow California’s child passenger safety laws:
Children under two years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight limits. Once they outgrow a rear-facing seat, children should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the seat’s maximum weight or height limit. Children who have outgrown forward-facing car seats should use a booster seat until they are at least eight years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Even after children are old enough to use regular seat belts, they should ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old, as this is the safest position in the vehicle. Beyond legal requirements, parents should ensure car seats are correctly installed and that children are adequately secured in them. Many local fire departments and community organizations offer free car seat inspection services to help ensure children are as safe as possible while traveling.
Understanding Settlement Calculators for Traffic Accident Claims
Determining the fair value of a personal injury claim can be complex, especially when the accident involves multiple injured parties, unrestrained occupants, and a child victim. Settlement calculators are tools that help accident victims understand the potential value of their claims by considering various factors that contribute to overall damages.
These calculators typically account for economic damages, such as medical expenses (both past and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs related to the injury. They also factor in non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and, for children, the long-term impact on development and quality of life. In cases like this, Sacramento County collision, where a 5-year-old child sustained moderate injuries, the calculator would consider not only immediate medical costs but also potential future medical needs, psychological counseling, and the lasting effects of trauma on a developing child.
The absence of seatbelts in this accident adds another layer of complexity, as comparative negligence may reduce the overall settlement value if the failure to use proper restraints contributed to the severity of the injuries. However, it’s essential to understand that online settlement calculators provide only rough estimates and cannot account for the unique circumstances of each case, the skill of your legal representation, the jurisdiction where the claim is filed, or the specific insurance policy limits involved.
The actual value of your claim depends on thorough documentation of all damages, expert testimony about future needs, compelling presentation of how the injuries have affected your life or your child’s life, and the negotiating power of experienced legal counsel. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we utilize sophisticated analysis tools, combined with decades of experience, to accurately value claims and fight for maximum compensation. We understand that behind every number is a real person or family dealing with pain, uncertainty, and financial stress. We work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive every dollar they deserve for their losses. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Take Action Today – Get the Help You Deserve
“As a father myself, my heart breaks when I hear about children injured in preventable accidents like this one. The fact that no one was wearing a seat belt in this collision makes an already tragic situation even more devastating. If your child or loved one has been hurt in a crash, please know that you have legal rights, and you shouldn’t have to face the medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma alone. The most important thing right now is ensuring everyone gets the medical care they need—some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately, especially in children. After that, reach out to an experienced attorney who can investigate what happened, determine who was at fault, and fight to get your family the compensation you deserve. At GJEL, we’ve spent decades helping families through these difficult times, and we never charge a fee unless we win your case. You’re not just another case number to us—you’re a family going through something no one should have to endure, and we’re here to help you move forward.” — Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic collision in Sacramento County or anywhere in Northern California, GJEL Accident Attorneys is here to help. Our firm has been representing injury victims for decades, recovering millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that serious accidents take on victims and their families. Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly investigate your accident, identify all liable parties, and fight to secure the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. This ensures that quality legal representation is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. When you choose GJEL, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities of your case.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim or pressure you into an inadequate settlement. Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.
Call GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Concord office to schedule your consultation. Remember, California has time limits for filing a claim, so acting promptly is crucial.
Local Resources for Sacramento County Accident Victims
California Highway Patrol – Valley Division 700 H Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 681-7900 Non-Emergency: (916) 861-1300 Website: https://www.chp.ca.gov/Find-an-Office/Valley-Division The CHP Valley Division investigates traffic collisions on state highways and county roads throughout the Sacramento area. You can request copies of accident reports and obtain information about ongoing investigations.
Sacramento Police Department 5770 Freeport Boulevard, Suite 100 Sacramento, 95822 Phone: (916) 808-5471 (Non-Emergency) Emergency: 911 Website: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Police Online Report Requests: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Police/Resources/Traffic-Collision-Reports The Sacramento Police Department handles traffic collisions within city limits. It can provide accident reports and investigative information.
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, 711 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone: (916) 874-5115 (Non-Emergency). Website: https://www.sacsheriff.com. The Sheriff’s Department responds to traffic collisions in unincorporated areas of Sacramento County and can provide collision reports and witness information.
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District 10545 Armstrong Avenue Mather, CA 95655 Phone: (916) 859-4300 Emergency: 911 Website: https://www.metrofire.ca.gov Metro Fire provides emergency medical response throughout Sacramento County and can provide information about emergency medical services rendered at accident scenes.
UC Davis Medical Center 2315 Stockton Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95817 Phone: (916) 734-2011 Emergency Department: (916) 734-2444 Website: https://health.ucdavis.edu/medicalcenter A Level I trauma center providing comprehensive emergency and trauma care for serious accident injuries.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, 2801 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816. Phone: (916) 733-1000. Emergency Department: (916) 733-8900. Website: https://www.sutterhealth.org/smcs. Provides emergency medical services and trauma care for accident victims in the Sacramento area.
Mercy General Hospital 4001 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819 Phone: (916) 453-4545 Emergency Department: (916) 453-4424 Website: https://www.dignityhealth.org/sacramento/locations/mercygeneral Offers 24/7 emergency services for accident-related injuries and trauma care.
California Department of Motor Vehicles – Sacramento Office, 4700 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95820. Phone: (800) 777-0133. Website: https://www.dmv.ca.gov. The DMV maintains driver records and can provide information about license status, driving records, and vehicle registration details relevant to accident investigations.
Sacramento County Superior Court 720 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 874-5522 Website: https://www.saccourt.ca.gov Civil Division: (916) 874-7867 The Superior Court handles personal injury lawsuits and other civil matters arising from traffic accidents.
Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), 1415 L Street, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone: (916) 321-9000. Website: https://www.sacog.org. SACOG coordinates regional transportation planning and maintains data on traffic safety and collision trends in the Sacramento region.
California Office of Traffic Safety 2208 Kausen Drive, Suite 300 Elk Grove, CA 95758 Phone: (916) 509-3030 Website: https://www.ots.ca.gov Provides traffic safety information, statistics, and resources for accident prevention throughout California.
Safe Kids Sacramento Phone: (916) 734-2929 Website: https://www.safekids.org Offers child passenger safety resources, car seat inspection stations, and education about proper child restraint use.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Website: https://www.nhtsa.gov Provides vehicle safety ratings, recall information, and resources on seat belt use and child passenger safety.
California Victim Compensation Board P.O. Box 350 Sacramento, CA 95812-0350 Phone: (800) 777-9229 Website: https://victims.ca.gov Provides financial assistance to victims of violent crimes, including some traffic-related incidents, for medical expenses and other costs.
Legal Aid of Sacramento, 515 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone: (916) 551-2150. Website: https://www.lascv.org. Offers free legal assistance to low-income residents for certain civil matters.
State Bar of California – Lawyer Referral Service Phone: (866) 442-2529 Website: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Need-Legal-Help/Lawyer-Referral-Service Provides referrals to qualified attorneys in Sacramento County for personal injury and other legal matters.
Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT), 1400 29th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816. Phone: (916) 321-2877. Website: https://www.sacrt.com. For those who have lost driving privileges or need alternative transportation during recovery from accident injuries.
Department of Rehabilitation – Sacramento Office, 4600 Broadway, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95820. Phone: (916) 558-5800. Website: https://www.dor.ca.gov. Provides vocational rehabilitation services for individuals whose injuries affect their ability to work.
