Multi-Vehicle Accident on Highway 99 in Modesto
A multi-vehicle accident on Highway 99 in Modesto involving a hit and run driver, an ambulance, and a big rig shut down the northbound lanes of the roadway for more than four hours on April 6, 2020. The incident occurred just before 1:00 a.m. on northbound SR-99 near Standiford Avenue. A driver of a big rig transporting perishable goods was traveling in the slow lane. For unknown reasons, the large truck veered off the roadway and struck a road sign, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The trucker reportedly lost control of the big rig and overturned in the roadway, blocking all three lanes of travel.
Investigation of the Chain Reaction Accident
Shortly after the initial truck accident, a driver of an ambulance claimed to have not seen the overturned big rig before crashing into it. A driver of a Kia came upon the collision and stopped in time. However, the Kia was rear-ended by a pickup truck that fled the scene. The drivers of the big rig and Kia were uninjured in the accident, the CHP reported. The driver and passenger of the ambulance, both 21-year-olds, were transported to Doctors Medical Center for treatment of unspecified injuries. Further information about the crash has not yet been provided due to an ongoing investigation.
Recoverable Damages in a Personal Injury Claim
After a multi-vehicle accident, a personal injury claim will need to be filed with the other driver’s insurance company or your own, depending on the amount of bodily injury coverage available. If one driver is found at-fault for a chain reaction accident, then they will be held financially responsible for damages incurred. When the at-fault party has little to no insurance, this can put others in a financial predicament when it comes to covering their medical expenses and other losses. Under such circumstances, a claim may be filed under the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage portion of your policy. The claim can help cover expenses for medical treatment to date, estimated cost of future medical care, loss of earnings as a result of accident-related injuries, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering. This type of coverage may also be used in the event of a hit and run. For information on whether a car accident claim is worth pursuing, watch the video below.
Who is at Fault in a Multi-Vehicle Accident on Highway 99?
Chain reaction accident cases are often challenging to handle since they involve multiple parties and happen in a small area. When there is extensive property damage, it can be challenging to determine liability. While the negligence of one driver can lead to the initial crash, the careless or reckless behaviors of others may cause the other resulting crashes as well. Proving negligence in a chain reaction accident often involves an extensive independent investigation from Modesto personal injury lawyers, experts, and law enforcement.
Does California Follow a Comparative Negligence Theory?
California follows a system of pure comparative negligence. This means that any driver who breached their duty of care in a car accident could be deemed partially negligent for the incident. When this happens, an injured driver would only be able to recover a portion of the compensation awarded to them. The settlement amount would be based upon the percentage of fault assigned to them. Since insurance claims adjusters may often find ways of pinpointing fault on you to reduce their financial liability, it is best to work with an injury lawyer who can independently investigate the incident and properly determine fault.
Is it Necessary to Get a Lawyer for a Modesto Multi-Vehicle Accident?
A chain reaction accident can be challenging and involve several negligent parties. Despite following the rules of the road and not breaching your duty of care, insurance companies may name you as one of the at-fault parties. Retaining a Modesto personal injury lawyer for your car accident claim is essential to help prove that other drivers are responsible for your injuries and damages. Your injury lawyer can do so by collecting critical pieces of evidence to build your claim, work with crash reconstruction experts, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Car Accident Lawyer in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto car accident lawyer. Chain reaction accidents can present unique challenges for those involved. Questions of liability and proving your right to monetary damages requires the assistance of an experienced injury lawyer. If you or a loved one has been injured in a chain reaction accident in the Modesto area, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice on what legal rights you have following the incident.
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