Fatal Antioch Accident on Highway 4
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is actively investigating a car crash where an Antioch resident was fatally injured at Highway 4 in Antioch, CA. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 23, around 2:15 a.m. on HWY-4, west of Hillcrest Avenue. Authorities responded to a call reporting a car that had crashed into the HWY-4 eastbound concrete center divider. Upon arrival of the Contra Costa CHP division and other emergency personnel, a late 90’s Toyota Camry was engulfed in flames while the driver was still inside.
Firefighters put out the fire and extricated the driver from the vehicle. The injured man from Antioch was in the process of being transferred to UC Davis Hospital for his severe burns. He passed away in transport to the hospital and was pronounced deceased by emergency personnel. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Coroner’s Division is handling the release of the deceased male’s identity. The nature of the crash has not yet been determined.
How Solo Car Crashes Can Occur
In car accidents where only one car was observed, liability is commonly assumed to be of the driver involved. However, driver error is not always the reason for an accident. In the fatal Antioch accident mentioned above, investigating authorities have not come to a definitive conclusion on why the accident happened. In cases like these, it is important to keep all options on the table. A solo auto accident can happen for many reasons outside of the driver’s control, such as a phantom vehicle, hazardous road defects, or faulty car parts and equipment.
- Hazardous road defects: Even the most careful driver can fall victim to dangerous roadway conditions. When an accident occurs because of unsafe road conditions, liability is likely to fall on the government entity in charge of maintaining the roadway. Examples of road defects include fallen tree limbs, potholes, road debris, unsafe turns, or lack of warning signage.
- Faulty car parts or equipment: There have been many cases of car accidents triggered by defective car parts and equipment. When a vehicle does not perform as one would expect it to, a claim can be made against the entity liable for the defective parts in question. This type of case is called an auto products liability claim. Any party from the chain of command may be found legally responsible for the damaged car parts. Common liable entities in an auto products liability claim include a vehicle manufacturer, the company that sold the vehicle, or the company that put together a specific car part.
- Phantom Vehicle: A “phantom vehicle accident” implies that a negligent driver forced another car into a collision without making direct contact with the wrecked vehicle. Many hit-and-run collisions involve a phantom vehicle. It can be hard to find the negligent driver accountable for the wrecked vehicle, especially if there were no eyewitnesses.
Finding the Right Wrongful Death Attorney
The unexpected loss of a loved one can leave the remaining family members with both emotional and financial strains. Additionally, when the unexpected passing of a family member is caused by driver negligence and could have been preventable, the grief can feel even more devastating. During these hard times, the remaining family can benefit greatly from legal guidance coming from a trusted, compassionate attorney that understands their pain. A seasoned wrongful death lawyer will stop at no ends to help a grieving family heal, and they will take as much time as it takes to gather enough evidence to accurately determine liability.
Antioch Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death lawyer in Antioch. If you have lost a family member in a car crash that may have happened for reasons outside of their control, call me today for my free and friendly advice at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400.
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