Fatal Crash Occurs at Sunrise Boulevard Off-Ramp
A motorist died in a fatal crash on August 21 near Rancho Cordova after losing control of their vehicle. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported the accident as occurring along westbound Highway 50 at the Sunrise Boulevard off-ramp during the early morning hours. Officers reported that the 2014 Subaru driver was speeding and failed to navigate the ramp curve successfully.
Police Officers Find Crashed Vehicle on Fire in Fatal Crash
This caused the vehicle to exit the road, striking a tree and catching fire. Officers found the vehicle after the crash and put the fire out. The driver died at the accident scene. At this point in the investigation by the CHP traffic accident team, it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs factored into the cause.
Speeding as a Cause of a Single-Vehicle Fatal Crash
Excess speed led to the deaths of more than 12,000 people in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most accidents involving speed are due to negligence by the driver. Speeding can result in:
- An increased likelihood of losing control of the vehicle
- Increased stopping distance
- Reduction of the effectiveness of seat belts and airbags
- Higher risk of serious injuries and fatalities
Other Causes of Speeding or Losing Control of a Vehicle
Driver negligence isn’t the only reason a driver may go too fast or lose control of their vehicle. Other causes can include:
- A medical emergency may lead to the driver losing control or accidentally pressing the accelerator.
- A defective auto part, especially in the accelerator or brakes, may make the driver speed and result in a fatal crash. Keeping the vehicle intact after a serious accident is important in these cases, so an engineer can examine it for defects. If a defect caused the deadly crash, the family may place an auto product liability claim.
- Neglected roadways may cause a fatal crash because the driver can lose control from hitting a pothole. In addition, swerving to miss objects in the roadway can lead to an accident. If a lack of roadway maintenance is the problem, a claim may be filed against the agency in charge. The time limit to file this type of claim in California is six months, so getting assistance from an accident attorney may help.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
Bringing a wrongful death claim after the death of a loved one is probably the last thing you want to consider. There may be instances when this is necessary to ensure justice and fair compensation for damages. In this case, an attorney with expertise in wrongful death cases can provide invaluable assistance and guidance. In many cases, you can recover the following damages:
- Costs associated with burials and funerals
- Decedent’s wages up to retirement
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Household assistance
In this video, Sacramento injury lawyer Ed Smith shares some tips to help you select an attorney:
Personal Injury Attorney in Rancho Cordova
I am Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Rancho Cordova. If a loved one dies due to negligence, your family may be able to pursue compensation. We can offer you free, friendly advice if another’s negligence causes it. You can reach us by calling one of our accident attorneys at (916) 921-6400. We can also be contacted by phone at (800) 404-5400 or online.
Here are some of the cases the injury lawyers with our firm have handled:
Follow the links below to find out how we’ve helped others:
Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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