I-5 Fatal Rollover Results in Death of Driver
A rollover crash involving a box van near Redding on April 12 caused a fatality. The collision occurred along Interstate 5, northbound close to Mountain Gate, around 2:00 p.m. The traffic accident report issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said they received calls about a vehicle overturned and on fire, which was blocking the traffic.
Firefighters Arrive to Combat Spreading Blaze
CHP officers reported the driver lost control of the van for unknown reasons and ended up crashing into the center divider. This is when the truck overturned. It had come to rest in the northbound lanes when it caught fire. Firefighters arrived to put out the fire, which had spread to vegetation nearby. The driver was dead inside the vehicle. The identity of the deceased driver will not be released until the family has been notified by the County Coroner’s Office.
Fatal Crashes Involving a Single-Vehicle Accident
Single-vehicle collisions are among the most common varieties of accidents. Unfortunately, fatalities are common also and leave the surviving family members not only deep in grief but confused and wondering why their loved one died. By enlisting the help of an injury lawyer, the reason for the accident can be uncovered. In some cases, if an outside influence was the reason the fatal rollover crash occurred, the family may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
Defects in an Auto Can Lead to a Fatal Rollover Crash
There are a number of defects that can occur in a car or truck that can lead to the driver losing control. Some of the main causes are faulty brakes, tires, steering or the accelerator. In other cases, defective airbags or seat belts didn’t do their job of protecting the people inside the vehicle, leading to their deaths. According to Statista, in 2019, more than 53 million vehicles were subject to recalls, some for minor problems and others for defects that were serious.
Roof Crush During a Fatal Rollover
During a rollover accident, there is an additional risk of roof crush. To prevent rollover, manufacturers have to construct their cars/trucks with roofs that can withstand 3.5 times the vehicle’s weight. This isn’t always the case. Unless these guidelines are followed, a rollover can cause roof crush, meaning that the top of the vehicle caves in on the occupants, trapping them inside. If the survivability space for those riding inside a vehicle diminishes, it can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other serious types of trauma.
Retaining a Vehicle Following a Rollover Accident
Preserving the evidence by retaining the vehicle following a fatal rollover crash is important. By keeping the vehicle instead of allowing it to be destroyed, it can be checked by engineers for defects, which could have led to the collision.
Filing a Claim for Wrongful Death
A grieving family often doesn’t think about filing a wrongful death claim right away. However, with time, they realize that losing someone who helped support the family and having to pay for their end-of-life expenses can cause them to face trouble financially. The immediate family members (spouse and children) may file a claim for wrongful death to recover the following expenses:
- Funeral and burial
- Wages until the deceased loved one’s retirement age
- Compensation for chores the loved one did around the house
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of consortium by the spouse
- Loss of guidance and nurturing received by the children
Redding Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Redding wrongful death lawyer. When your loved one died in a fatal rollover crash, the immediate family members may be able to initiate a claim for wrongful death with the help of an injury lawyer. You are welcome to contact us for our compassionate, free and friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, we can also be contacted online. Don’t let time pass without getting the help you need. We can review the case, answer any of your questions and let you know about options to recover damages. Look at how we have assisted others by looking over our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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