Laton Man Killed in Car Accident in Fresno County

One Killed, Two Injured in Fresno Car Collision

A 69-year-old man from Laton was killed in a two-car collision in Fresno County on the afternoon of December 10, 2022. The accident occurred at about 3:20 p.m. on southbound Highway 41 and East Mountain View Avenue near Caruthers.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the man was traveling on Highway 4 in a white pickup truck when he slammed into a black Range Rover. The pickup then swerved and hit a fence. Paramedics arrived and pronounced the pickup driver dead at the scene.

The driver of the Range Rover, a 40-year-old man, and his passenger suffered life-threatening injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. Southbound traffic on Highway 41 was backed up for over a mile following the accident and investigation.

The CHP said drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the deadly crash.

Traffic Accidents are Common Causes of Wrongful Deaths

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 200,000 auto accidents in California yearly result in injury. Of these collisions, over 3,000 result in death. Many of these tragic car collisions are due to speeding, distracted or impaired driving.

According to police data:

  • Over 40 percent of California drivers killed in auto accidents tested positive for alcohol or drugs.
  • More deadly crashes happen in rural areas because people speed and pay less attention to potential dangers.
  • Deadly accidents are more common at night due to poor visibility and the possibility of someone driving impaired.
  • Motorists who tested positive for alcohol or drugs account for a third of all auto accidents.

Losing a Loved One in a Preventable Accident

The sudden loss of someone you love is devastating. However, it is more traumatic when the death is preventable. Such tragedies are often overwhelming, especially when dealing with insurance companies and unexpected expenses. When a loved one is killed in an auto crash caused by someone else’s negligence, surviving family members may be eligible to file a claim for wrongful death. While no amount of compensation can ever fill the void, the money can help you and your family get justice and secure your future.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim 

Wrongful death claims are often complex and challenging, and liability can be difficult to prove. That’s why consulting with an experienced injury attorney may be beneficial. You don’t have to cope with losing a loved one alone. Our Fresno car accident lawyers at AutoAccident.com can help you through this difficult time and guide you through filing a wrongful death claim so you and your family can focus the grieving and recovery process.

Watch the YouTube Video below to learn more about wrongful death claims and how an experienced accident attorney can help with your case.

Fresno Wrongful Death Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death attorney in Fresno. If you have lost a loved one in a tragic accident in Fresno County or elsewhere in California due to negligence, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. At our Fresno law office, we can help you and your family through this difficult time. Call (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to speak to our legal team for free, friendly, compassionate case advice. You can also reach us online through our Contact Us form.

Our Fresno personal injury attorneys have represented families in all types of auto collisions and wrongful death cases since 1982. See our Verdicts and Settlements page to see how we have helped those affected by such situations.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

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