Accident on Garden Highway Occurs When Vehicle Hits a Utility Pole
A solo vehicle collision cost the life of a Sacramento man, age 26, on February 17, when his vehicle collided with a utility pole. The accident happened on Garden Highway eastbound close to Powerline Road around 9:00 at night. According to the North Sacramento office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the driver was in a Honda Accord and apparently lost control for an as yet unknown reason. The driver was declared deceased at the scene.
Solo Vehicle Collision Being Investigated as to Cause
The accident is under investigation by the CHP to determine the cause of the solo vehicle collision. Whether alcohol or drug use contributed to the crash is unknown at this time. The identity of the deceased man has not yet been released pending notification of the family.
Causes of Single-Vehicle Crashes
The majority of accidents involving a single vehicle are due to driver error. It may be because of a slick road, speeding, distracted driving, or just bad luck. However, others are caused by an outside influence such as:
- A hit-and-run driver: More and more often, accidents are caused by a hit-and-run driver. This can appear as though it is a solo vehicle collision until an investigation uncovers the truth.
- Aggressive driver: Unfortunately, there are many aggressive drivers on the road these days. They weave in and out of traffic, tailgate intentionally as a way to intimidate another motorist on the road and can force a vehicle to take an emergency maneuver to get out of the way. It can appear on the surface like a solo vehicle collision, but the evidence that is collected can show otherwise.
- Roadway neglect: Roads that have potholes, poor lighting, or other signs of negligence can end up causing a solo vehicle collision. The government agency in charge of maintenance can be held responsible in these instances.
- Mechanical problems: Brakes that fail, steering that goes out, and other mechanical problems may be due to defects. This is one of the reasons it is important to retain a vehicle following a collision so that it can be checked. If an auto defect caused an injury or fatality, the manufacturer can be liable through a product liability lawsuit. Negligence does not have to be proven in these cases, solely that the product was unaltered and used as it was intended.
Recovery of Damages in a Wrongful Death
A family who has lost a loved one because of negligence can file a wrongful death claim. Over the many years I’ve been in practice, my law office has successfully obtained compensation for many grieving families. Those who can file include the spouse or putative spouse, children, stepchildren, and others who were supported by at least 50 percent by the decedent. Among the areas where they can recover damages are:
- Earnings lost by the loved one up to the time of their normal retirement age
- Loss of consortium, love, and companionship by the wife or putative spouse
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of pension benefits, insurance, and other monies
- Loss of household help such as lawn mowing, childcare, and other activities
- Funeral and burial expenses
- A survival action may be filed if the decedent lived for a time before they passed away
- In the case of an intentional death by another, punitive damages may be claimed through a survival action
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. When you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence by another person or entity, the family may be able to file for wrongful death. For my free, friendly advice, please contact me at (916) 921-6400 or from long-distance at (800) 404-5400. I can be contacted online also.
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We’ve gotten fair compensation since 1982 for Sacramentans with all types of traumatic injuries, wrongful deaths, and traffic accidents.
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