Portola Valley Falling Tree Kills Driver

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March 24, 2023
Edward Smith

Falling Tree on Alpine Road Causes Death of Motorist

A man was tragically killed in Portola Valley on Tuesday afternoon when a falling tree struck his truck while he was driving along Alpine Road. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident was reported at 1:34 p.m. The vehicle, a sewer truck belonging to Able Plumbing, Sewer & Drain, was traveling eastbound in the direction of Interstate 280 when the tree fell onto it.

Powerful Storm Brings Down Area Trees

The driver, who is yet to be identified by authorities pending confirmation of identity and notification of next of kin, was the sole occupant of the car. Strong winds were blowing in the Bay Area as a big storm moved through on Tuesday afternoon, bringing down many trees. As of 2:45 p.m., there were multiple trees down in the same area reported by CHP.

Fatal Accident Being Investigated

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office has taken over the investigation and is assisted by the CHP and Portola Valley Police Department. The cause of the incident is currently being investigated. 

Compensation for Falling Tree Accident Injuries

Obtaining compensation requires determining who owns or is responsible for the property where the falling tree injured or killed someone. There are trees on private properties, as well as those on land owned by businesses, cities, states or even the federal government. Injuries lawyers can help you find the responsible entity or person. To receive compensation, responsibility must be determined.

Government Claims

Government entities, such as the city, county or state, have much shorter statutes of limitations than most other types of personal injuries. Your injury claim must be filed within six months. Missing the deadline will result in your case not being heard by the civil court judge. An injury lawyer can handle your claim for you. By doing so, all paperwork will be filed on time. You can also get the best outcome by negotiating with the government entity through a lawyer.

What Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim

The compensation that can be recovered in a wrongful death claim is determined by the state’s statute and can include such items as funeral expenses, lost future earnings and other damages related to the loss of life. In addition, California law permits family members to seek monetary damages for the pain and suffering associated with their loved one’s wrongful death.

Locating an Experienced Wrongful Death Attorney

If you believe that your loved one’s death was caused by the negligence of another, it is important to contact a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process and ensure that the claim is filed in a timely manner. They will also be able to provide legal advice and representation throughout the process. It is important to choose a wrongful death attorney that has extensive experience in handling these types of cases. This will help ensure you receive the maximum compensation available under California law.

California Tree Accident Lawyer

I am Ed Smith, and I’m a California tree accident lawyer. Falling trees can be deadly, and if your loved one died because they were struck by one, the family might want to find out about filing a wrongful death claim. Our injury lawyers can be reached for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400. You can also contact us at (800) 404-5400 or by messaging us using the online form

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Photo attribution: Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay 

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