subject: Vehicle Domino Effect [print this page] Case scenario: Seven Los Angeles firefighters, eight LAFD rescue ambulances, one heavy rescue, one urban search and rescue unit, three EMS battalion captains, one battalion chief officer command team, division chief officer command team were all under the supervision of Deputy Chief Jeffery Mottram responded to a multiple vehicle collision on the Southbound 405 (San Diego) Freeway near Burbank Boulevard in Sherman Oaks.
Five vehicles were involved in a traffic accident. One of the vehicles was a private ambulance.
One man was in critical condition. One mother and her daughter sustained minor injuries, along with two females. There were also two male ambulance attendants who were treated on the scene.
Multiple vehicle collisions, also known as pile ups, involve more than two vehicles. Its pretty common on freeways. Its usually deadly and causes lots of damages. And yes, traffic.
Common causes of multiple vehicle collisions
Rain is usually one of the major causes of this type of accident. Rain makes the road slippery and when the driver is on the freeway at top speed, the more dangerous it is for him. Rain can also cause low visibility as well as fog. Drivers can also lose control because of snow.
Big rig trucks are also more likely to cause such collisions with other cars. The size of it adds to the intensity of the damage the car can sustain.
Another cause of chain car crashes are road bumps and potholes. It can cause the vehicle to swerve and worse, hit another vehicle. The driver can also be blamed if he is intoxicated, sleepy or just plain sleepy.
Irresponsible drivers
Speeding
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Disobeying safety procedures
Ignoring reduced speed limits
A worst case scenario that can happen is when the vehicles blow up because of damaged gas tanks. The fire can spread from one vehicle to another because of the spilled fuel on the pavement. It also damages properties along the freeways. And the financial expenditure can be a gigantic amount.
