Car Accident Fatally Injures Turlock Man
A car accident in Stanislaus County claimed the life of a Turlock man on March 2, 2019. The incident occurred along the northbound lanes of Highway 99 in the vicinity of Hatch Road, just south of Modesto. A Toyota Prius was traveling northbound along the last lane of the highway. At the same time, a Chevrolet Silverado was traveling northbound in the middle lane. The Toyota reportedly drove through standing water along the roadway, lost control, and veered to the right. The right front of the Toyota then struck the left rear of the Chevrolet. The impact of the collision caused the Chevrolet to drift off the roadway, overturn through a chain-link fence, and come to a stop in an open field. The two occupants of the Toyota were uninjured in the crash. Sadly, the Chevrolet driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Officials have identified the decedent as 41-year-old Ernest Toste Costa Jr. of Turlock. I would like to send my sincere thoughts and condolences to the friends and family of the decedent in their time of grief.
Accident Investigation
The auto accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in this collision, and no one was arrested at the scene, according to CHP. However, inclement weather conditions are believed to have caused the crash.
What Are the Common Causes of Rollover Accidents?
A rollover accident can occur for a wide array of reasons. Contributing factors and common causes of these car wrecks include:
- Center of Gravity: Vehicles with higher centers of gravities include small pickup trucks, SUVs and 15-passenger vans. This design can make these vehicles more susceptible to overturning compared to other cars even under mild conditions.
- Road Defects: A rollover can sometimes be caused by roadway hazards. These include lack of roadway signage, insufficient road maintenance, and other hazardous conditions. When this happens, a claim for damages may be filed against the government entity responsible for maintaining that road. Keep in mind that these claims must be filed within the statute of limitations, which is 180 days or six months from the date of the incident in California.
- Defective Tires or Tire Blowouts: If a vehicle’s tires are excessively worn or defective, they can fail. A blown or faulty tire can cause a car to trip. This can result in a loss of control and lead to a rollover accident.
- Tripping: Approximately 95 percent of accidents involving rollovers occur due to an external force, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This may be caused by crossing a dip or slope, striking the curb, and being hit by another vehicle changing lanes.
Roof Crush Resistance in a Rollover Accident
During a rollover, the survival of both the driver and passengers is dependent on the strength of the vehicle’s roof. If a roof collapses during a rollover, the occupants within the vehicle are susceptible to suffering serious injuries caused by the crushed roof. This is especially true if occupants are ejected out of the car due to doors opening or breaking and windows shattering in the collision. Some of these injuries may include internal trauma, cervical sprain, spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or fatal injuries in some extreme cases. To learn about the first steps to take if you have been injured in an auto accident, watch the below video.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
The loss of someone you love is devastating. When the negligence of another party or entity is the cause, it can make the situation even more so difficult to cope with. In these instances, surviving family members of the decedent may be entitled to monetary damages for their losses. This can help pay for a loved one’s end-of-life medical care, costs of a funeral and burial, loss of future income and household services for the family, and other damages. An experienced Turlock wrongful death attorney understands the needs of a family in mourning and can help by dealing with the legal complexities of a wrongful death claim. This way, the family can concentrate on coming to terms with their loss.
Turlock Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock personal injury lawyer. Highways are often the sites of car accidents that lead to debilitating injuries or deaths. If you or a loved one were injured or killed in an auto accident due to the negligent actions of another, I am here to provide you with free, friendly advice. Please phone me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
You are welcome to browse our client ratings and reviews at the following links:
As a California member of the Million Dollar Advocates, I join other trial attorneys in this forum who have obtained $1 million or more for a client. I also belong to the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Membership of this group is limited to fewer than 1 percent of attorneys who are believed to uphold high standards of legal excellence.
Information about cases our law firm has handled, and their outcomes are available for your review on our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Car Accident Fatally Injures Turlock Man: AutoAccident.com
Photograph Source: By “StockSnap” via Pixabay / Car Accident Fatally Injures Turlock Man
:ds [cs 901]