Fatal Farm Accident in Merced County
A fatal farm accident occurred in the area of Palazzo Road and Turner Island Road in Merced County on the morning of September 29, 2021. The incident occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. and involved a 2017 Challenger Tractor and a 2015 Chevrolet Spark, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported.
Details on the Fatal Farm Accident on Palazzo Road in Merced County
A preliminary report by officials revealed that a 54-year-old Dos Palos man was operating the Challenger Tractor with a furrow chisel attachment and entered the roadway from the west shoulder. CHP traffic officers said due to the clearance of the trailer, it entered both the southbound and northbound lanes of Turner Island Road. Officials also noted factors in the investigation, such as limited lighting and darkness.
While the farm tractor was in the traffic lane, authorities said a woman was driving the Chevrolet Spark southbound on Turner Island Road and was involved in a head-on collision with the tractor. Upon the arrival of first responders, the Chevrolet driver was declared deceased at the scene. The driver was identified in the fatal car accident by the Merced County Coroner’s Office as Martina Lopez Valdez, 50, of Dos Palos.
What You Should Know About Farm Accidents and the Claims Process
When it comes to the agricultural industry in Merced County and across California, there is a wide array of machinery and tools that help farmers and workers get the job done. Mowers, drills, tractors, and other heavy machines help in the production of crops. The combination of machinery and workers may come with the risk of a farming accident, particularly if workers are traveling between lots on tractors using public and rural roads. Any crash involving a tractor or other heavy machinery may result in serious injury or even death to those involved.
If another party was at fault for a farming accident, they may be held financially liable for economic and non-economic damages incurred through a personal injury or wrongful death claim. There are often unique challenges involved in farming accident cases as various parties and entities may be responsible for the incident. Farm owners, just like employers, are expected to provide safe and healthy work environments for workers. Proper training, safety gear, and equipment must be provided for farmworkers. Conversely, insurance companies representing at-fault parties may be difficult when it comes to fairly compensating an injured party or family of a decedent for their losses.
With the assistance of an experienced injury lawyer, you may seek financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other losses in connection to the motor vehicle accident.
If you have lost a loved one in a farm crash, a skilled accident attorney may also help you and your family in this situation by holding the at-fault party liable for the incident through a wrongful death action to obtain justice and fair compensation on your behalf. While there may be some hesitation that may come with the idea of contacting an attorney for an accident case, it is essential to consider speaking with one as a lawyer will have your best interests at heart in the process, unlike the insurance company. For details on how to find the right lawyer for your case, watch this video.
About Our Law Firm
Our legal team has extensive experience handling all types of accident cases, including those involving farm tractors. Each case is comprised of its own unique set of facts and circumstances that require the thorough analysis and investigation only an attorney may conduct. We are dedicated to obtaining favorable case outcomes for those we represent. To give yourself the opportunity to obtain justice and fair compensation for your loss, contact one of our experienced attorneys immediately to discuss your best course of action moving forward.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced wrongful death attorney. One of the most dangerous types of accidents across the nation is those involving farming machinery. If you have been injured in a farm accident or lost a loved one, please contact our law firm today to receive free, friendly case advice from a member of our team at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We understand how challenging this time may be for you and your family, and we are available anytime to discuss your rights and options when the time is right for you.
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We have been awarded membership into the California sectors of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel in recognition of our work.
Our legal team has extensive experience investigating accidents and assessing who was at fault, regardless of the type of incident. We work with a wide array of expert witnesses and investigators whose expertise may help provide critical details when determining a full and fair settlement value. To see how we have resolved cases for past clients, please head over to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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