Crash Involving a Truck Kills Two Bicyclists on Silverado Trail
A crash involving a truck near Napa on October 17 killed two bicyclists. The Napa County Sheriff’s Office said the collision happened along Silverado Trail around 11:00 a.m. A flatbed truck was hauling a load of lumber, which reportedly shifted and struck the bicycle riders.
Both Bicycle Riders Die in a Crash Involving Unsecured Cargo
The bicycle riders were going in the same direction as the truck. One of the riders, a male in his 50s, perished at the scene of the crash involving a truck. The other rider, a woman in her 40s, died later after being taken to a hospital.
Investigation Being Conducted in Fatal Bicyclist Accident
The truck driver was uninjured in the collision and remained at the accident scene. The road was closed to traffic as an investigation was conducted, and the site was cleared. An investigation into the accident is ongoing and being conducted by the sheriff’s office.
Flatbed Trucks and Unsecured Cargo
State and federal regulations require big rigs, including flatbed transporters, to store their cargo securely to prevent a crash involving a truck like the above. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, cargo securement must ensure that the transported load cannot fall or shift. It is the carrier’s responsibility to see that the number of tie-downs is increased if necessary and that new securement devices are purchased if need be.
Fatalities Caused by a Loose Load on a Flatbed Trailer
Truckers carrying loads must periodically stop and inspect the vehicle to ensure that the cargo they are transporting is secure. Sometimes, the cargo is loaded by the company the trucker works for. In others, a third party does the loading. A crash involving a truck can be complicated, so when you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to unsecured cargo, it is important to contact a trucking accident lawyer.
Liability in a Crash Involving a Truck
In the above instance, it is possible that not only the trucker is liable for a wrongful death caused by loosely secured cargo. The company that employs that trucker and a possible third party who loaded the flatbed trailer may also assume liability. Because trucking companies often carry a number of different insurance policies and employ their own attorneys, having an experienced lawyer handle your claim can increase your chances of success.
Eligibility in Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
The family who loses a loved one in an accident caused by an at-fault truck driver may wish to file a wrongful death claim. Immediate family members, such as the children and spouse of the decedent, have the first right to file. Either that or the estate administrator can file for wrongful death. One claim can only be filed, however.
Recovering Damages in a Wrongful Death
All cases differ, and your accident attorney can advise you on what your family would be eligible to claim and can help calculate the damages. However, recoverable damages usually include funeral and burial expenses and wages the decedent would have earned until retirement. Other compensation may be the loss of consortium for the surviving spouse and guidance lost by the children.
In the following video, attorney Ed Smith offers advice on how to choose a good lawyer:
Napa Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith. I’m a Napa personal injury lawyer. We offer assistance from our experienced injury attorneys, who will protect your rights and work hard to help your family be compensated fairly. Our firm is committed to ensuring that our clients receive justice for their loss, which can help them move forward. Our free and friendly legal advice is available by calling us at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 if you lost a loved one in an accident. An online contact form is also available.
Photo attribution: Image by vlanka from Pixabay
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