Two Accidents Within Minutes of Each Other
Two separate collisions, one a fatal accident, occurred in the area of Orland on February 4. The first crash occurred along Interstate 5 as reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). It occurred around 12:45 p.m. when a pickup experienced a rollover near the overpass for County Road 20. The driver of the pickup was ejected from his truck in the rollover and died at the accident scene. According to the accident report by the CHP, it appeared as if the right rear tire had experienced tread separation.
The second collision involved two tractor-trailers and happened several minutes later south of the number 16 County Road exit. Authorities believe that the fatal accident that occurred a few minutes earlier caused a traffic slowdown. In the second accident, the driver of one of the big rigs crashed into the rear of the other, which caused major damage. The driver survived with minor injuries.
Losing a Family Member in a Fatal Accident
Losing a loved one is traumatic, but a fatal accident due to another’s negligence can be overwhelming. Family members are riddled with grief and a sense of helplessness. They want to know how the accident occurred. Some are angry that this had to happen to someone they loved so dearly. That is where we can help.
Our staff, investigators, and lawyers offer compassionate service and try to help family members by providing the answers they need. We begin with a free case review with our legal team, which gives the family options they have open to them if their loved one’s death was due to negligence. Then we investigate the fatal accident.
Tire Separation as a Cause of a Fatal Accident
The tread on a tire is what gives the vehicle traction. Separation of the tread from the tire body or casing occurs when the tread pulls away. In today’s vehicles, most of the tires on cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs are steel-belted, which is a method of mounting rubber tread to steel casings. All tires are at risk of tire tread separation because rubber does not adhere well to steel, especially if the vehicle is moving at high speed or the weather is hot. Manufacturer defects, incorrect flat repairs, tire abuse, underinflation, and wear and tear, among others, can compromise the bond between the casing and the tread, leading to separation. Signs of potential tire separation include:
- Uneven wear on the tread
- Cuts or cracks in the sidewalls
- Blisters or bulges in the sidewalls
- Extreme vibration when driving
- Tread that has become worn too fast
Filing an Auto Product Liability Claim Following a Fatal Accident
If a fatal accident occurs due to tire separation caused by manufacturer negligence, the family can file a claim to recover damages for the loss of their loved one. Although it will not ease their grief, it can help with the financial difficulties that occur when a wage earner in the family is gone. In addition, it holds the at-fault party responsible for their negligent behavior.
Conducting an Investigation to Determine the Cause of a Fatal Accident
It is important to determine the cause of a fatal accident that involves a single vehicle. A wrongful death claim can then be placed by the family. We have successfully determined the cause of many single-vehicle crashes through investigations, which can include:
- Our investigators begin collecting evidence as soon as they arrive at the accident site.
- Traffic surveillance cameras are inspected to determine whether the accident was captured on film. With the footage from the camera, we may be able to prove what caused the accident.
- It is possible to reconstruct a collision, to determine how it happened, and to determine whether the government entity acted negligently in the upkeep of the roadway.
- Verifying the accuracy of the police report is part of the investigative process. The outcome of the client’s compensation claim can be affected by an error.
- An examination of the vehicle is conducted to check for defects. Manufacturers may be liable for fatal accidents caused by defective auto parts.
- The investigators will speak with any witnesses to the accident.
To support our clients’ compensation claims, our injury lawyers gather evidence and prepare a case.
Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico wrongful death lawyer. When someone in your immediate family dies due to a negligent driver, the family may be able to place a claim for wrongful deaths. You are welcome to contact us for our free and friendly legal advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. We can also be reached online. We can set up an online meeting in which you can ask questions, we can review your case, and also let you know what options are available for your family to recover compensation.
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Information on how our team of injury lawyers has assisted others can be found at the links below:
Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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