Elderly Man Killed in Chico Rollover Accident
One person lost their life in a Chico rollover accident that happened on Sunday, April 26, 2020. According to Butte County Sheriff’s Office reports, the decedent was an 80-year-old Chico man. The crash happened on a rural road just north of the city and involved two vehicles. The collision remains under a California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigation at this time.
Crash Information
CHP reports that the crash occurred at around 10:30 a.m. on Meridian Road to the north of Kilkare Lane off of Highway 99. The elderly man had been driving a 1993 Chevy Tahoe SUV northbound when he reportedly attempted to pass a 2020 Toyota Tundra. Police say that, for unknown reasons, the Tahoe struck the rear-end of the Toyota, causing the SUV to spin out and eventually overturn. As the vehicle rolled, the driver was reportedly ejected through a window.
Response
After they were notified about the collision, CHP dispatched an emergency team to respond. Responding officers discovered the elderly man in the roadway with critical trauma. Sadly, he lost his life on-site. Whether or not any of the occupants of the other vehicle were injured was not reported.
Investigation
As CHP is attempting to determine the causal factors involved in this accident, officers haven’t noted any likely causes. With many similar accidents, there are multiple crash factors. Many of these factors are frequently things that neither involved driver can control, including defective roads or malfunctioning car parts.
Rollovers and Liability
When a car overturns, especially a top-heavy vehicle like an SUV, there is a high risk of serious or fatal injuries. This is largely due to the fact that vehicles are frequently not able to keep occupants safe in the event of a rollover. In some cases, seat belt mechanisms malfunction, leaving drivers and passengers vulnerable. In others, vehicle roofs are not manufactured strongly enough to withstand a serious impact. If the roof is poorly designed or made from weak material, it may cause roof crush injuries during a rollover.
The companies that make passenger vehicles are expected to guarantee that their products are reasonably safe. When their vehicles fail to protect drivers, these companies can often be held financially responsible for the damages they have caused. It is crucial to preserve the damaged vehicle so your attorney can inspect the roof and hold the car as evidence.
Wrongful Death Damages
The impact of a sudden death in your family can’t be measured in dollars. Families suffering a sudden loss frequently experience a very difficult grieving process, and it can take a long time to cope with the heartache of losing someone you love. However, families can often obtain financial security during a difficult period by having an experienced attorney help them file a wrongful death claim.
The payments available through wrongful death claims are meant to help families recover both personally and financially following fatal accidents and include a wide variety of different damages. To learn more about these claims, it’s important to reach out to a trustworthy attorney in your area.
Other Blogs from Ed Smith, Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Deadly Crash in Chico Causes Trauma
- What is a Chico Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Trends in Chico Traffic Shift Due to Pandemic
Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico wrongful death lawyer. Collisions can be tragedies. If a fatal crash has impacted your family, call (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400 as soon as you are able to receive my free, friendly advice.
Throughout nearly four decades of serving the Chico community, I’ve been able to help my clients obtain many settlements and verdicts. If you would like to read what my clients themselves have said about my work, you can visit:
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photo from pexels by tb
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