Deadly Big-Rig Accident in Covelo
On Tuesday, August 25, 2020, one person was killed during a big-rig accident in Covelo. The collision reportedly happened late at night and only involved a single vehicle. According to reports, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is withholding the identity of the decedent at this time. California Highway Patrol (CHP) has indicated that the cause of this accident remains under investigation.
Crash Information
The crash happened on Highway 162 near the exit at Barnes Lane on the northern end of the small community of Covelo. According to information from CHP, a 2019 model International big-rig was heading west on the highway while carrying a load of around 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel. As the truck was approaching Barnes, it veered to the right for unknown reasons. Eventually, the truck ran off the northern edge of the road and traveled a short distance before it crashed into a tree.
Response
After receiving a call regarding the incident, CHP sent a team of emergency responders to the site. When responders reached the location, they discovered that the driver suffered major trauma during the incident. Sadly, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident.
Investigation
As CHP investigators attempt to determine what caused this accident, suspected factors haven’t been reported so far. Often, major accidents like this one are complicated and involve more than one causal factor. Furthermore, many common big-rig accident factors can’t be controlled by drivers. Such causes include issues with the road as well as defective auto products.
Fatal crashes can be especially hard for police to fully investigate. This is because officers are not able to interview decedents about what took place, meaning that they may not uncover important evidence. The best thing you can do to ensure that a fatal crash is properly investigated is to reach out to a skilled Ukiah wrongful death attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer will be able to privately investigate the accident.
Truck Accidents and Quick Action
Trucking companies typically operate an entire fleet of large, commercial vehicles. Because of this, these companies think of accidents as a necessary risk of running their business and are almost always prepared to defend themselves when a crash happens. Unfortunately, this can put families affected by fatal accidents in a difficult position and puts them at a disadvantage when they attempt to claim compensation.
To ensure your family is able to obtain the compensation that they deserve for lost income, personal suffering, funeral costs, and other damages, it’s important to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. If your lawyer can begin working on your case early on, they will be able to more effectively advocate for your right to compensation.
Other Blogs by Ed A. Smith, Ukiah Wrongful Death Lawyer
Ukiah Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Ukiah wrongful death lawyer. Car crashes can have tragic consequences. To receive free, friendly advice following a deadly accident, please give me a call using either (707) 563-1900 or (800) 404-5400.
My team and I have assisted people in the Ukiah area for more than 38 years and have helped our clients achieve fair payment through many settlements and verdicts. You can read about us by looking at our client reviews on these websites:
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