Speeding May Have Led to Vincent Road Fatality Accident
A fatal accident occurred near Turlock on March 6 when the driver lost control of his vehicle. The collision occurred along Vincent Road near East Avenue around 12:14 a.m., claiming the life of a Hughson man, age 32. According to the news release by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the driver, in a 2020 Dodge Durango, was speeding when his vehicle went off the edge of the roadway.
How Authorities Believe the Fatal Accident Occurred
When the driver overcorrected, the vehicle veered east, went off the road and hit a power pole. The vehicle then entered an orchard, overturned and hit a number of trees before ending up on its roof. The driver was ejected from his vehicle and found unresponsive. He had not been wearing seat restraints.
Accident Still Being Investigated
The Hughson man was declared dead at the accident scene. Authorities have not yet determined whether alcohol or drugs was a factor in the collision. The name of the driver is being withheld pending notification of the family.
Single-Vehicle Accident Causes
Driver error is the most common cause of single-vehicle accidents. However, there are other reasons that a driver can end up in a fatal accident for which the family can file a wrongful death claim. Among them are:
- A government entity might be liable for damages if poor road maintenance results in a single-vehicle fatality. When traffic lights don’t work, poor lighting is overhead at night, or potholes and debris are in the roadways, a driver can lose control and end up in a collision. The time limit to file against a government entity, however, expires much faster than other personal injury claims. In a government claim, the injured person has six months to file. The government entity has up to 45 days to respond. If the entity denies the claim, the injured person has another six months in which to file a lawsuit. If no response is received, they then have two years to file a lawsuit. An injury lawyer can mediate your claim for you and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time.
- The manufacturer and others in the production line are liable for injuries when an accident is caused by a defective auto part. You might find that the brakes are bad, the steering has suddenly stopped working, the accelerator is stuck and other issues. Retaining the vehicle is important, so it can be examined for defects. A lawsuit against the manufacturer may be filed if a defective product caused the accident.
- A driver fleeing the scene can make it appear like a single-vehicle fatal accident. Aggressive drivers have anger issues, so they are a danger on the road. A driver with road rage or excessive aggression may force another vehicle off the highway, resulting in a single-vehicle accident. Injury lawyers can investigate an accident to find out if another driver caused it and track down the at-fault motorist.
Filing a Claim for Wrongful Death
Our firm has assisted many families who have suffered the loss of a loved one due to wrongful death. Families probably don’t think about filing a claim after losing someone they love. However, they may eventually realize that the death will create financial difficulties, particularly if they relied on the deceased for support.
In addition to recovering financial losses, filing a wrongful death claim can provide family members with justice for their loss and a sense of closure. A wrongful death claim can be used to pay for the funeral and burial, recover the loved one’s wages until retirement age and compensate the surviving spouse and their children for the loss. Although it won’t help ease their grief, it can reduce their financial struggle as they go forward.
Turlock Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock wrongful death lawyer. If it turns out an outside influence led to the death of your loved one, the family may place a wrongful death claim. Contact our injury lawyers for their free and friendly advice by phoning (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, we can be contacted online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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