Accident on I-80 Occurs When Minivan Driver Miscalculates Lane Change
A fatal accident occurred in Vacaville on January 10 when a minivan collided with a big rig. The collision occurred shortly after 5:00 a.m. along westbound I-80 near Alamo Drive. The report issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that the minivan was changing lanes when it collided with the big rig, which caused the van to exit the roadway, where it experienced several rollovers.
One Injured as Well as One Fatality Reported in I-80 Accident
Although the van’s driver was taken to the hospital, they died later as a result of their serious injuries. A passenger who was riding in the van suffered major injuries and was also transported to the hospital for treatment. The CHP for Solano County advised motorists of heavy traffic congestion due to the collision and asked drivers to stay away from the area and use an alternative route to reach their destination.
Fatal Accidents
The number of fatal accidents in California increased by 18 percent in 2020. This is due to drivers speeding and not using seat restraints. Truck drivers are having the same problems, largely due to hiring practices as trucking companies are using inexperienced truckers to keep goods moving.
The liability each group has takes a toll on other motorists as they try to go to work or travel from one place to another. According to a researcher with the National Safety Council, this problem will likely persist for some time.
Losing a Loved One in a Traffic Accident
Hearing that a loved one has died when it is expected is hard. Learning that a family member has been killed in a fatal accident caused by a negligent driver or another party can be catastrophic. The family faces the news with a mix of grief and anger and a sense of helplessness. They clamor for a reason their loved one died and want to ensure that justice prevails.
Further, the family needs closure as they battle the astronomic cost of end-of-life expenses after a fatal accident and look to financially survive after losing a loved one who supported them monetarily. No one believes that filing a wrongful death lawsuit will bring the family any less grief, but it will allow them to face the future without their loved ones with less economic stress.
Please take a moment to watch the following video where attorney Ed Smith discusses a wrongful death lawsuit:
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The following family members can file a wrongful death claim in California:
- The spouse of the deceased
- The putative spouse of the deceased
- The adopted or natural children of the decedent
- The stepchildren of the deceased who received 50 percent of their support from the decedent
- The parents of the deceased if they were supported by the decedent
- The decedent’s siblings if they were likewise supported
What Damages Does a Wrongful Death Claim Provide
The following damages are part of a wrongful death claim:
- The wages the decedent would have earned along with benefits and other job-related bonuses until the time of retirement
- The cost of hiring others to perform the household tasks usually done by the decedent
- The loss of care, love and guidance the decedent would have provided to their children
- The loss of love and physical affection the decedent and their spouse shared
Wrongful Death Lawyers in Vacaville
I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death lawyer in Vacaville. When negligence by another motorist or entity causes the death of your loved one, the immediate family members may wish to find out about placing a wrongful death claim. You are welcome to contact us for our free and friendly advice at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400. An online form to message us is available also.
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Find out how we have assisted others in obtaining fair compensation at the links that follow:
Since 1982, our team of injury lawyers has helped many Vacaville residents to get the compensation they deserve in wrongful deaths and all types of traffic collisions.
Photo attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-lg0clbRM; Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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