Single-Vehicle Fatality Crash Occurs on Willow Glen Road
A Yuba County solo-vehicle fatality crash occurred on April 18 near Oroville. The accident was reported as occurring along Willow Glen Road, which is close to Pine Ridge Drive, shortly after 5:00 a.m. The roadway was shut down between Marysville and Frenchtown roads to clear the scene and investigate the cause of the collision. It was not reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) whether the fatality was to the driver or there were others in the vehicle.
Causes of a Fatality Crash Other Than Driver Error
Although most single-vehicle accidents are caused by a mistake or negligence by the driver, not all are. Other factors that can contribute to a fatal car crash include the following:
- Vehicle defects: Vehicle defects such as tire blowouts, brake failure and steering problems can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and lead to a fatality crash. Retaining a vehicle after a fatal or injury accident cannot be stressed enough. By keeping the vehicle, it can be examined for possible defects that led to the fatal accident. If it is proven that a defect in the car caused the collision, an auto product liability claim may be placed against the designer, manufacturer and others.
- Hazardous road conditions: Poorly maintained roads with potholes, inadequate signage, poor lighting or missing guardrails can also contribute to a fatality crash. When the accident site is investigated, and it can be determined that poor maintenance caused the accident, a claim may be filed against the government entity charged with its upkeep. Since the statute of limitations for filing a government claim is six months, enlisting the assistance of an accident attorney may be helpful. If the deadline is missed, the court will not hear the case.
- Animals standing in the roadway: Animals on the road, such as deer or livestock, can cause drivers to swerve suddenly and lead to a fatal crash. Although there would be no liability for wild animals like deer, livestock is another matter. If it can be shown the owner of the livestock was negligent, which allowed the animals to escape their enclosure, then they may be liable for injuries or fatalities that occur.
Compensation Recovery in a Wrongful Death Claim
In a wrongful death claim, the immediate family members can pursue recovery for damages stemming from the loss. This includes economic and non-economic damages associated with the loss of life. Economic losses include funeral costs, lost wages and benefits if the deceased was employed, and other financial losses related to their death by filing for wrongful death. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of the deceased’s guidance and companionship or other intangible losses. An injury lawyer can calculate your losses and assist you in getting through this difficult time as well as holding the at-fault party responsible.
Oroville Personal Injury Attorney
I am Ed Smith, and I’m an Oroville personal injury lawyer. Get compassionate, free and friendly advice from our injury lawyers if you have lost a family member due to another’s negligence by calling (530) 392-9400. Alternatively, we can be reached by calling (800) 404-5400. You can also connect with us online. We offer a free consultation with one of our injury lawyers in-person or virtually, where you can discuss your case and find out what options you have for recovering compensation.
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The following links provide examples of how our accident attorneys have helped many clients seeking fair compensation for their accidents:
Photo attribution: Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
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