Accident Occurs on State Route 49 Resulting in a Fatality
A fatal car accident occurred on December 11 on Golden Chain Highway in the vicinity of Turkey Trot Place in Grass Valley at about 2:07 in the afternoon. Two vehicles were involved, one a Honda Civic and the other a motorcycle. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a call was sent for two tow trucks to haul the vehicles from the accident site, and one vehicle is being kept as evidence. The CHP log indicates that a woman was injured in the crash, but it is uncertain whether this was the decedent.
Further Details About the Fatal Car Accident
The crash caused the road heading north to be blocked and the southbound lanes to be partially closed. The CHP is investigating the accident to assign fault. The family of the deceased has not been notified as of this time.
Losing a Loved One
It is hard enough to lose a loved one, but when their death is caused by a negligent or reckless driver, it can be catastrophic for the family. They experience feelings of grief and loneliness but also anger and a sense of helplessness. For some families, the decedent provided financial support, and their absence can be monetarily difficult.
A wrongful death lawsuit is able to bring closure and justice to an otherwise unexplainable situation. It will also allow the family to move forward and cover household expenses, something their loved one would have wanted.
Sedan vs. Motorcycle in a Fatal Car Accident
When a passenger vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the risk of being injured or dying is greater for the motorcyclist. This is because the motorcyclist has little to no protection, unlike the passenger vehicle driver. While a helmet can make the chance of suffering a brain injury less, other safety devices and a steel cage in passenger vehicles are absent. This puts the motorcyclist at a significant disadvantage.
Motorcyclists Are Often Thrown From Their Bike
Another significant disadvantage for a motorcyclist is that the rider often suffers an ejection from their vehicle. This frequently results in a fatality or critical injury for the motorcyclist. If the motorcyclist is thrown into a guard rail after being ejected, the sharp edges of the rail can cause serious lacerations. Also, the motorcyclist may be injured by contact with the roadway and suffer severe lacerations or blunt force trauma.
Guardrails Can Be Dangerous
Guardrails may be designed or installed improperly. This puts the onus on the city or state agency in charge of road construction and/or maintenance. If a claim is filed against a government agency, the deadline to do this is much different from other personal injury lawsuits. If the claim is filed after the deadline, the case will not be heard. That is why the legal advice of an injury lawyer is critical to the success of the claim.
Proving Liability in a Fatal Car Accident
It is essential to evaluate the fatal car accident for liability when one of the participants is unable to speak for themself. That is why at AutoAccident.com, we dispatch our investigators to the scene of the accident. They use their skills to evaluate the scene for evidence of liability using accident reconstruction techniques. Our investigators also obtain surveillance videos of the fatal car accident. They interview witnesses for their accounts of the crash and look at police reports for mistakes. Since the latter is used in insurance negotiations and in court, it is imperative that there are no mistakes.
Grass Valley Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Grass Valley. If you’ve been hurt in a car crash or lost a loved one to a negligent motorist, call me for my compassionate, free and friendly advice. I can be reached at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach out to me online.
I’ve helped residents of Grass Valley and the surrounding area obtain the compensation they deserve since 1982 in car accidents, motorcycle injuries, and wrongful deaths.
I am a proud member of the following organizations:
Learn more about my law firm below:
Photo attribution: Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay
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