Fatal Accident Occurs When Vehicle Crashes Off Foresthill Road
A fatal single-vehicle accident occurred northeast of Auburn, which was reported on December 1 but was believed to have occurred the day before. The collision was reported to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) by a caller who spotted the vehicle but said they didn’t know if the car was possibly abandoned. Responders with the Placer County Fire Department arrived at the scene to discover a white Jeep, which they said came off Foresthill Road in the Todd Valley area and ended up on private property.
Deceased’s Name Not Released Pending Family Notification
The vehicle appeared to have been there overnight, and a fatality inside the Jeep was confirmed. Officers reported the vehicle had struck a pole, causing minor damage, as well as a tree. The name of the deceased has not been released pending the family’s notification. However, she was identified as an Auburn or Roseville woman, age 48.
Speed May Have Contributed to the Crash
An investigation by the CHP into how the fatal accident occurred determined that the driver swerved into a lane going westbound, struck a curb at the Owl Hill Court intersection, and went airborne. Investigators believe that speed contributed to the crash.
Causes of a Run-Off-Road Fatality Accident Outside of Driver Error
Although driver error is responsible for the majority of single-vehicle accidents where the motorist leaves the roadway, not all of them are. Following are some of the outside influences that can cause a single-vehicle crash where the car leaves the roadway:
- Poorly maintained roads: Roads that are not properly maintained can have defects such as potholes, cracks and other hazards that can cause a vehicle to lose control and run off the road. Adequate warning signs and lighting along roadways are essential to alert drivers of potential dangers and help them avoid an accident. A lack of proper lighting or signage can cause a driver to make a critical error and end up in a single-vehicle accident. In addition, hazardous objects in the roadway can lead to a crash. Large rocks, fallen trees or debris from another accident can cause a vehicle to lose control and veer off the road. When lack of roadway maintenance leads to a single-vehicle wreck, the government entity charged with its care may be liable for any injuries or fatalities. Because the deadline to file a government claim is six months, getting help from an injury lawyer can ensure the timeline is met.
- Over-correcting steering: When drivers swerve suddenly to avoid an obstacle in the roadway, they may over-correct their steering and cause their vehicle to run off the road.
- Defective auto parts: Malfunctioning brakes, tires or other defective parts can cause a vehicle to run off the road. Retaining a vehicle after an accident that results in injuries or fatalities is important, so it can be examined for defects. If a defective part is found that led to the single-vehicle accident, an auto product liability claim may be placed against the manufacturer and others.
- A hit-and-run or aggressive driver: If a driver is being chased by another vehicle or someone driving aggressively, they may lose control of their car and run off the road.
Auburn Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, and I’m an Auburn personal injury lawyer. Considering a wrongful death suit if someone’s negligence caused your loved one’s death in a single-vehicle accident may be something your family should investigate. If you need free and friendly advice from an injury lawyer, give us a call at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. You can contact us for answers to your questions, an examination of your case, and a discussion of your recovery options. We are also available online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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