Willits Man Dead Following Lake County Crash
A 44-year-old Willits man sadly passed away following an auto accident that took place near Clearlake on Sunday, January 12, 2020. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is currently withholding the identity of the decedent. Officers from California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued a report stating that the crash involved three vehicles and happened in the late afternoon on a local highway. In addition to the decedent, four other people were involved in the crash. Thankfully, reports indicate that none of these individuals were injured.
Collision Information
The accident happened at about 4:10 p.m. on Highway 20, northwest of Upper Lake. The Willits man was driving a 1991 Toyota pickup truck heading east near Irvine Avenue when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle drifted left and crossed over the highway median. After crossing the median, the Toyota sideswiped a 2000 GMC Sierra truck with two Kelseyville residents inside. The Toyota continued in the westbound lane until it crashed head-on into a 2014 Dodge Ram that had been carrying two Eureka residents.
Emergency response personnel were immediately sent to the crash scene after CHP was notified via phone call about the accident. Responders at the scene stated that they found the Toyota driver had suffered severe injuries during the crash and had him rushed to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Tragically, he could not be stabilized and lost his life in hospital custody.
Fatal Accidents and Investigation
When people lose their lives in a car crash, investigators lose a piece of the story. Because the decedent is unable to tell investigators what happened, they have to rely on the evidence they find to determine what caused the crash. Often, not being able to interview involved drivers means that investigators overlook important pieces of evidence like defective roads or faulty auto parts.
Making sure that accidents are properly investigated is a critical part of claiming wrongful death damages. A skilled attorney can devote their own time, experience, and resources to making sure that no causal factors go overlooked.
Wrongful Death Damages
Losing someone you love is a terrible thing. Families faced with vehicle accident deaths are often in a very difficult place both emotionally and financially. While it isn’t possible to replace the person you lost, families can often claim payments to cover their financial and personal damages through filing wrongful death claims.
Wrongful death claims seek to hold negligent parties and/or their insurance companies responsible for what grieving families have suffered. This often includes payments for lost income, medical bills related to the fatal accident, and loss of access to household services. Furthermore, wrongful death claims also often include payments for personal pain and suffering. To learn more, the best thing you can do is reach out to a local attorney and speak personally about your situation.
Other Blogs from Clearlake Wrongful Death Lawyer, Ed Smith
- Triple Car Crash Injures Four in Clearlake
- Defining a Clearlake Personal Injury Lawyer
- DUI in Clearlake Injures Two
Clearlake Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Clearlake wrongful death lawyer. Collisions can be tragedies. If a car accident has affected your family, call (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 to speak with me personally and get free, friendly advice regarding your case.
My law firm has been helping residents of Clearlake and nearby areas for 38 years. During this time, we’ve been able to achieve many successful case settlements and trial verdicts. To learn more about us, take a moment to look through our client feedback at:
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