Driver Killed in Accident on Auburn Boulevard
A fatal crash in North Highlands left one man dead after his vehicle was struck by a GMC Yukon on Auburn Boulevard at about 8:30 in the evening. According to a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the man was identified as 20-year-old Oleksandr Podolianchuk of North Highlands. The CHP said that he reportedly pulled out of the parking lot at the Dutch Bros coffee drive-through near Kohler Road and into the path of the Yukon on the boulevard. The driver of the Yukon, age 26, reported he was unable to stop in time to avoid the 2009 Infiniti Coupe. The driver of the Infiniti, identified as Podolianchuk, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 9:00 p.m. The CHP is investigating the fatal crash to determine why and how it happened. The CHP is asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call them at 916-348-2300.
Losing a Loved One in an Unexpected Accident
We all face the prospect of losing a loved one, but to experience this loss when the person dies unexpectedly compounds the grief family members feel. In such cases, emotions such as shock, anger, and disbelief accompany the sense of loss and loneliness family members feel, overwhelming them. Many people in this situation are unable to handle routine tasks. They often do not eat or rest as they should either. Close friends and family members can help. Some examples are:
- Offer to do the shopping. This includes picking up medical prescriptions at the drugstore and shopping for groceries.
- Prepare meals that can easily be warmed up, and bring them to the person’s home.
- Make frequent yet short visits. Let the grieving party talk without interruption. Many people will need to talk about the incident repeatedly.
- Offer to accompany the person to the funeral parlor. This can be a difficult task, and one that should not be done alone.
- Offer to take the person to appointments.
- Pick up and take children to school.
- Help to make necessary phone calls, such as telling relatives about the accident and contacting the bereaved person’s work.
Reasons a Fatal Crash Happens
There are many reasons why a fatal crash happens. These include distracted and drunk driving, other forms of driver error, and problems with the operation of a vehicle. Entering a thoroughfare from an intersection or a parking lot is not as simple as it seems. For instance, other drivers often appear out of nowhere, signs or foliage can block visualization of another vehicle, and brakes can fail. If one’s sightline is blocked by signs that jut out from the perimeter of a property or when foliage obscures oncoming traffic, the city or state agency in charge of road maintenance can be held responsible. Brake failure can be caused by defective brakes on the vehicle. The manufacturer of the vehicle may be held liable for the defect.
How an Attorney Can Help
After a death in the family, it is difficult to focus on legal matters. In cases where the cause of the accident must be explored and determined, it is even more taxing, especially for family members. However, wrongful death claims can help eliminate the financial loss associated with the decedent’s death. A wrongful death lawyer can help at this crucial time. Our firm starts by using proprietary techniques to examine the accident. Not only do we speak to people who observed the crash, but our investigators also obtain videos of the accident from different sources such as traffic cameras. We also examine police reports for inaccuracies.
Evidence of negligence is important in an accident, and looking into manufacturing defects can be challenging. Many defects are a matter of record, yet others have not been recorded. We work with experts who examine the videos and road markings to see if the vehicle’s brakes were defective. If they were, a product liability lawsuit could be filed. Once all evidence is compiled, the data is released to our lawyers, who use it to build a strong case for our client.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in North Highlands
I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death lawyer in North Highlands. When you lose a family member in an unexpected accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Call me for my free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or at (800) 404-5400. You can also reach me online.
I’ve helped numerous clients obtain the compensation they deserve in car accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic injuries.
Learn about my practice using the following links:
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/condolences-trauerkarte-letters-3991589/
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