A Yuba County Rollover Crash Left One Adult Dead and Three Minors Injured
A man from Yuba County died in a rollover crash on Highway 70 in Olivehurst, four miles south/southeast of Marysville. The accident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on December 12. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the driver of a 2005 Jeep was a resident of Loma Rica and was accompanied by three minors, two of whom were the driver’s sons.
Additional Details of the Rollover Crash
The CHP said the vehicle was in the fast lane of a wet roadway at the time of the crash, allegedly hitting a speed of 90 to 100 mph. Authorities believe the driver’s vehicle went out of control before striking a dirt barrier on the right side of the highway and rolled several times before coming to a stop.
The driver, who was not properly using a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle, landing in a dirt field. The three minors remained in their seats. The driver died due to blunt force trauma. One minor sustained moderate injury and the other two suffered minor ones and were transported to UC Davis for evaluation and treatment.
Rollover Crashes and Speeding
Speeding dramatically enhances the chance of a rollover accident, with 45 percent of all rollovers occurring at higher speeds, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This is most often seen when a speeding vehicle enters a curve.
Inclement weather is another factor in a rollover crash. Slick or icy roads make it difficult to maintain vehicle control and lead to many rollovers.
Is Driver Error the Only Reason for Speeding?
Although driver error is the leading reason for speeding, it is not the only one. Unintentional acceleration can happen when the accelerator is affected by floor mats, brake system problems, electromagnetic interference, troubles with electronic controls, and sticking accelerator pedals.
This type of acceleration, which can be intermittent, is common and often a reason for automotive recalls. In 2009 and 2010, Toyota recalled millions of vehicles due to unintended acceleration. The accelerator malfunctions led to several hundred crashes and roughly 89 fatalities. In 2015, Kia recalled approximately 200,000 vehicles due to accelerator problems. Over the years, many complaints have been made about sudden acceleration in Chrysler/Jeep products.
How to Determine If a Speeding Vehicle Was Defective
It is essential to carefully investigate why an accident happens when there is a fatality because the driver cannot speak for themselves. At our firm, we dispatch our investigators to do just that. They examine the vehicle with the assistance of experts in the field to see if defects exist. They also check records to see if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had prior reports of similar problems with the make and model of the vehicle.
Losing a Loved One in a Rollover Crash
No one is prepared for losing a loved one, but losing them in a rollover crash can overwhelm the family. Many family members experience grief, loneliness, and a sense of helplessness at this time. They also need to discover what caused the loved one’s accident. This provides a sense of closure and, if an outside entity’s negligence was to blame, a sense of justice. For instance, if a defective auto part was involved, the negligent manufacturer could be liable for the accident.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
For this reason, many families seek to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Aside from closure, the wrongful death lawsuit can also help the family deal with funeral and burial costs, the lost support of the deceased, and the loss of guidance, love, and inheritance he or she would have provided had they lived.
Take a moment to view the following video where attorney Ed Smith explains wrongful death claims:
Wrongful Death Attorneys in Marysville
I am Ed Smith, a wrongful death attorney in Marysville. If you lost a loved one due to negligence, you have the right to learn what happened to take your family member from you. That is where I have helped numerous residents of Marysville and those in the surrounding area since 1982. My team and I work diligently to help them find closure while taking a negligent party to task in court.
If this will help you, call me at (530) 392-9400 or at (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free and friendly advice. My staff, investigators, and our team of injury lawyers will do everything possible to assist you in finding justice at this critical time. You can also reach out to me online to schedule a free case review in person or virtually if that is easier for you.
Learn more about my practice by using the links below:
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Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-lg0clbRM
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