Fatal Crash Near Somis
I’m Ed Smith, a Somis car accident lawyer. Solo crashes or single vehicle accidents happen more frequently than one would expect. On Tuesday, January 31, 2017, just 10 minutes outside Somis, a Southern California woman was tragically killed in a solo car crash. The accident took place along State Route 23 in the early morning hours.
What Happened?
The woman, identified only as a resident of Oxnard, was traveling along the freeway when her vehicle, for reasons which remain unclear, drifted into the right shoulder. Upon impact, her car flipped over an embankment and landed upside down. Sadly, despite wearing a seatbelt, the Oxnard woman was partially ejected out of her vehicle suffering fatal injuries.
Single Vehicle Accidents
Single vehicle accidents account for nearly 61 percent of all fatal crashes across the country. Solo car crashes like the one described above can occur for a number of reasons. There may have been a phantom vehicle who caused the accident and then fled the scene. Or perhaps a roadway defect exists on the right shoulder of the highway that caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. These factors will remain hidden unless investigated thoroughly. This is why car accidents should be investigated right away by a an experienced car accident lawyer who can go out to the scene and investigate the sequence of events leading up to the crash. The experienced attorney will also look at factors such as mechanical failures or faulty vehicle design. Contact an experienced lawyer for more information.
Precautions
Besides following traffic laws and staying alert while operating a motor vehicle, motorists should avoid excessive speeds, drinking before operating a vehicle as well as distracted driving. Of course, single vehicle accidents can occur due to no driving error of the driver, thus it is also beneficial to make sure your vehicle is maintained and has up-to-date advanced safety systems.
Single Vehicle Accident Liability and Claims
In single vehicle accidents there is often a question of liability. For instance, if a motorist were to hit a pole or tree, then there is a presumption that the motorist is liable. On the other hand, a motorist may be released from any liability if the accident occurs due to a sudden and unexpected equipment failure that was not caused by lack of upkeep. Typically, after this second kind of accident, auto manufacturers look to see if this was an incident that requires a recall. Yet another common cause of single vehicle accidents is bad road conditions. In the event that you suffer an accident due to the conditions of the road, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible (take pictures, etc.) in order to bring a claim against the governmental agency or entity who is responsible for maitaining the road. When this is the case you typically have only six months or 180 days to file a claim against the government agency. Contact an experienced lawyer for more information.
Wrongful Death Claims
Lastly, it is important to note that if the motorist suffers fatal injuries, the family may be able to obtain a wrongful death claim. If the evidence suggests that there was negligence on the part of those in charge of maintaining the roadway or by a negligent driver, the family may be entitled to damages. Typically, damages here would help the family deal with the loss of their loved one including burial costs, medical expenses and/or potential income loss. Ultimately, consulting an experienced attorney can help you discern what claims can be brought and where the fault lies.
Somis Car Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Somis car accident lawyer. When serious injuries or death occur after a car accident, please give me a call at (805) 372-0200 for free, friendly advice. I can be reached toll-free at (800) 404-5400 when calling outside of Somis.
Since I began practicing law in 1982, I have helped my clients receive maximum compensation for their personal injuries, including wrongful death.
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I belong to the California sector of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This is a group of top trial lawyers in the United States who have obtained multiple million dollar case verdicts and settlements.
Please take a moment to review my Previous Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
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