Fatal Crash on I-5 in Fresno County
Officials in Fresno County reported a fatal crash on I-5 on the morning of Wednesday, March 2, 2022. The incident occurred along southbound Interstate 5 just north of Derrick Avenue and State Route 33 around 9:30 a.m. and involved a big rig and a Chrysler Aspen SUV.
Details on the Fatal Crash on I-5 and Derrick Avenue in Fresno County
Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that a big rig was parked along the right shoulder of southbound Interstate 5 and was unoccupied at the time of the incident. A preliminary report by CHP traffic officers indicated that the SUV allegedly veered off the roadway and collided with the rear of the tractor-trailer. The impact of the collision reportedly caused major damage to the SUV, with most of it sustained to the right side.
Four of the occupants in the SUV were ejected upon impact, authorities said. Information on which parties were ejected was not immediately available. Officials indicated that a 12-year-old girl, a 37-year-old man, and a 52-year-old driver of the SUV were all treated at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno for serious injuries. Sadly, four parties were declared deceased at the scene of the truck accident in Fresno County. This included a 9-year-old child, a 13-year-old child, 25-year-old Naomi Cook, and 43-year-old Lute Katalina Fekitoa. The 9-year-old child was Fekitoa’s daughter and the 13-year-old was Cook’s son. A GoFundMe page has been established on behalf of the Fekitoa and Cook families.
Authorities did not disclose the relationships of all parties but said they were from Edmonds and Auburn, both cities in the state of Washington. The southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were closed down for several hours, according to officials. Investigators reported that they will be looking into why the semi-truck was unoccupied and parked on the right shoulder. Additional information on the fatal truck accident was not immediately available due to an ongoing investigation.
Loss of a Loved One in a Big Rig Crash
Coping with the unexpected loss of a close relative is devastating and painful under any circumstances. If the situation occurred because of the negligence of another individual or entity, it may be even more challenging to come to terms with the loss. Taking legal action may be emotional and overwhelming for surviving family members. However, it is essential to consider bringing a wrongful death claim as it may help provide a family with a sense of closure and justice from the at-fault party being held financially accountable for the harm their negligent actions have caused. A grieving family’s focus can be shifted toward recovery and building for a more secure future when they retain legal counsel that will handle all aspects of their case on their behalf. Unlike an insurer, a lawyer will work to ensure that survivors are fairly compensated for the intangible harms and financial consequences they have endured because of the other side’s negligence.
In the case of a motor vehicle collision involving a parked big rig, liability may fall on more than one party. That is because there are strict federal regulations on parking a large commercial truck on a highway. This specific issue is addressed in detail in the 49 CFR 392.22. Truck drivers who fail to follow the protocols outlined in this federal regulation, in addition to any state laws on vehicles parked in and around highways, may be held liable for injuries or death caused by an incident involving a stopped large commercial truck. That is why truckers must plan their trips and routes with consideration of hours of service (HOS) and parking to avoid such situations. The same applies to trucking companies as they should not enforce strict delivery deadlines that may conflict with HOS regulations.
The unfortunate reality is that there are one too many cases every year where a motor vehicle traveling on a highway is involved in a crash with a parked big rig. Such situations often occur at night when visibility is compromised by poor lighting and other conditions. It is essential to retain legal counsel with years of experience handling truck accident cases and conducting their own investigations of these crashes with their team of experts examining the scene. Keep in mind that a letter of preservation of evidence must be sent to the trucker and trucking company immediately before key evidence is lost or destroyed over a certain period of time. This should be done immediately to ensure that evidence crucial to proving liability and damages in the case is gathered and preserved. An experienced Fresno truck accident lawyer will have the skills and resources to conduct an independent investigation and analysis of the fatal incident to ensure that surviving family members are fairly compensated through their wrongful death claims. For information on how to select the best accident attorney to represent you in your legal matter, watch this video.
About Our Law Firm
At AutoAccident.com, we understand that no amount of money will ever undo the pain of losing a loved one or equal their life. However, it is essential to recognize the various financial consequences that surviving family members may face following the sudden loss of a close relative, particularly a primary provider of the family. Our legal team’s goal is to ensure that families we represent in wrongful death claims are fairly compensated for the economic and non-economic damages they have suffered. Keep in mind that a two-year statute of limitations generally applies to these claims, so do not delay in speaking with one of our skilled and compassionate lawyers regarding the specifics of your case today.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno wrongful death lawyer. The loss of a loved one is devastating and overwhelming for any family, particularly if it was the result of another party or entity’s negligence. When your family turns to our legal team at AutoAccident.com for assistance, we will conduct an independent investigation into the incident and help you understand your rights as a survivor. We will have your goals and best interests at heart throughout the process and will treat your family as our own. Get started today by giving us a call to schedule a meeting for free, friendly case advice with one of our compassionate and skilled lawyers at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400.
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