In the early hours of April 28, a Chevrolet SUV and Dodge Ram flatbed truck collided head-on at Santa Fe Avenue. A 48-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl, both residents of Denair, California were killed in the accident.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that around 7.54 a.m. the Chevrolet being driven by the victim entered the northbound lane for where it crashed into the Ram flatbed truck. The reason why the victim crossed over from the southbound lane to the northbound lane is unknown.
An initial investigation into the crash found that the two cars collided and went off the road and onto the shoulder. The woman and the teenage girl who was sitting in the front seat were injured in the accident and rushed in an ambulance to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.
Unfortunately, they succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead. The driver of the Ram truck, 39-year-old Michael Perales of Turlock, sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the Doctors Medical Center.
In a press release, CHP announced that the investigators are investigating if the victims were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
They are also investigating where drugs or alcohol were involved. Statements from witnesses are being recorded to determine if any of the drivers or any other vehicles were involved in road rage with the victims before the accident.
In the United States, Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of personal injuries. According to stats, each year around 2 million people suffer injuries in motor vehicle crashes. Over 200,000 motor vehicle injury cases are reported each year in California.
Automobile accident injuries cost victims tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repair bills, or buying a new vehicle.
The driver is responsible for causing the accident can be held liable for the injuries and damages suffered by other drivers or passengers. In California, the liability for a car crash accident falls on the driver whose negligence caused the accident. California is a pure comparative negligence state.
According to the California state law with regards to claim and settlement, if both parties are responsible for causing a car accident, victims can recover compensation from the other drivers however, any compensation received would be reduced by the percentage of their fault and then paid.
Not all automobile accidents are caused by negligent drivers. Sometimes collisions and crashes are caused due to malfunctioned or faulty car parts like tire burst or brake fail.
Dangerous or risky road conditions like uneven roads or under construction roadways can also cause accidents. In such instances, the vehicle or parts manufacturers or government agencies responsible for maintaining the roads can be held responsible for the crash.
Motor vehicle accident victims should hire an experienced vehicle accident lawyer to ensure the insurance company pays them for their damages fully.
If the insurance companies or at-fault parties are not paying the victims their due compensation, the lawyers may have to file a personal injury lawsuit to make the liable party pay for the damages.
Some of the damages which can be recovered in a motor vehicle injury lawsuit are:
- Medical expenses including hospitalization and surgery cost,
- Loss of wages or income
- Loss of earning capacity due to disability or illness
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma and anguish
If you or your family member has been injured in a car accident, before dealing with the insurance company or deciding on the settlement amount it is advisable to speak to specialized car accident lawyers.
We at Khashan Law are California Personal Injury lawyers having wide experience and knowledge in handling car accident cases. Over the last several years we have successfully represented thousands of clients and helped them secure fair compensation.
Contact us today if you or your family member have been involved in a car accident and we will ensure that the liable party pays you the compensation you deserve.