Fatal Grass Valley Highway Accident

California Highway Patrol (CHP) authorities reported that a major car accident took place in a rural location near Grass Valley on Saturday, February 9, 2019. The accident involved one vehicle and left the driver with fatal trauma. The fatally injured driver was identified on Monday, February 11, 2019, as Michael Houlihan, a 28-year-old resident of Eureka. According to reports, no other individuals were involved in the collision. CHP investigators are still looking into possible causes of the collision. I would like to send my condolences out to Mr. Houlihan’s family and friends while they are mourning their tragic loss.

Police Response

The crash was first reported at 1:05 a.m. when a witness called CHP and said that they had seen a green-colored Toyota Tacoma wrecked on the side of a rural road. The caller said that the crashed vehicle was barely visible from the side of McCourtney road a few miles to the south of Grass Valley.

When CHP and area firefighters arrived at the scene of the crash, there was a moderate amount of snow and rainfall. Responders had a difficult time reaching the vehicle because of the weather and dense vegetation. Tragically, when emergency responders found Houlihan inside of the vehicle, he had already passed away from his injuries. An extensive search was conducted in the nearby area to make sure that no other individuals had been involved in the crash. Fortunately, nobody else was found.

Accident Reconstruction

After a preliminary investigation, CHP reported that the Toyota had been driving south on McCourtney Road when it approached a curve. The pickup truck failed to navigate the curve and drove over the northbound side of the road. Eventually, the vehicle exited the highway and crashed into a thicket of vegetation. Officers say the vehicle came to a stop after striking an oak tree.

CHP is still working to understand all of the factors involved in the crash. Officers have asked that anyone who has information about the wreck call (530) 477-4900 to help with CHP’s investigation.

Dealing With Fatal Accidents

Fatal car accidents can majorly affect people’s lives. The idea that someone you love has suddenly passed away is often difficult to accept, and many people find themselves feeling overwhelmed. After receiving such tragic news, it’s important to make sure you have the time and space it takes to process your emotions. While time alone can be helpful, it’s also important to rely on the support of your loved ones.

However, losing a family member isn’t just difficult emotionally. A sudden death in the household is often a financial burden as well. Often, the fatally injured family member was an income earner in the household. In other cases, the family member took care of essential tasks like childcare, cleaning, home repairs, and more. It can be hard to allow yourself time to grieve when you also need to worry about how you will be able to survive financially without your loved one.

These concerns are serious, but an attorney can help. Families are often able to claim money for their losses from liable parties after a fatal crash. This is done through filing “wrongful death claims.” The sooner you can get in touch with a lawyer, the more effective they can be working on your case. For this reason, it’s best to call an attorney as soon as you are able to. To learn a bit about finding the right attorney for your needs, see this video:

More blogs by Ed Smith, Grass Valley Wrongful Death Lawyer

Grass Valley Wrongful Death Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Grass Valley wrongful death lawyer. The effects of fatal accidents on families can be severe. If you lost somebody in a crash, please call me at either (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

I have helped people in Grass Valley claim the money they deserve for wrongful death damages since 1982. To learn about how I’ve helped my clients, see my settlements and verdicts and read reviews of my work on:

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Fatal Grass Valley Highway Accident