Accident on S.R. 89 Takes Life of Fair Oaks Woman
A woman died on November 14 in a single-vehicle crash close to South Lake Tahoe. The accident occurred along S.R. 89 southbound near Pickett’s Junction around 4:25 in the morning. The accident occurred when the driver, in a Hyundai Elantra, exited the roadway for unknown reasons and crashed into a boulder, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Injured Minors in Single-Vehicle Crash Transported to a Hospital
Two passengers in the single-vehicle accident who were minors were transported by helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center with injuries described as major or moderate. The deceased woman was identified as 33-year-old Noelle Elizabeth Rivera, a Fair Oaks resident. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the CHP to determine why it occurred.
Causes of a Run-Off-Road Accident Not Caused by the Driver
There are a number of causes of a run-off-road single-vehicle accident not related to driver error. These can include:
- Poorly designed or maintained roadways – Potholes, poor drainage and other roadway defects can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and become involved in an accident. Because a claim must be filed with the government entity within six months of the death, having an accident attorney handle it may be recommended.
- Inclement weather – Slick roads due to rain, snow or ice can make it difficult for a driver to maintain control of their vehicle.
- Animal crossings – A sudden appearance of an animal in the roadway can startle a driver and cause them to swerve off the road and cause an accident.
- Defective auto parts – Faulty brakes, steering or suspension components can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and result in a single-vehicle crash.
Supporting Your Wrongful Death Claim
If you have lost a loved one in a run-off-road accident, your family may be able to recover damages from the responsible party. An experienced accident attorney can help by investigating the cause of the crash and holding the responsible parties accountable either through their insurance company or by taking the case to civil court.
Gathering Evidence to Support a Claim After a Single-Vehicle Crash
There are many ways an attorney can investigate an accident. One way is to send a private investigator to the scene to take pictures and gather information from witnesses. Another way is to subpoena records from the police department or other agencies involved in the accident. The attorney may also use investigators to reconstruct the accident and surveillance cameras in the area, which often points toward who was at fault.
The area will be checked to see if road maintenance was a problem. The vehicle itself can be examined to see if a defect caused the single-vehicle crash. Once the evidence has been gathered, the accident attorneys take over to build a case that supports the claim for wrongful death damages.
Personal Injury Lawyer in South Lake Tahoe
I’m Ed Smith, a South Lake Tahoe personal injury lawyer. In the event that the death of a loved one was caused by the negligence of another party, you might be able to recover damages. While it will not ease your heartbreak, it can provide a sense of justice for the family and assist them in moving forward. We will be happy to provide you with free and friendly advice if you contact us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. We are also available online.
Below are some examples of how our injury lawyers have helped others recover fair compensation for their injuries:
Following are several of the groups we are honored to belong to:
Photo attribution: Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
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