Fatal Head-On Collision on River Road
Officials in Stanislaus County reported a fatal head-on collision on River Road just north of Azevedo Road on the early morning of Monday, February 21, 2022. The traffic accident took place around 5:20 a.m. and involved a 2022 Ram 1500 pickup truck and a 2005 Nissan Maxima, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Details on the Fatal Head-On Collision on River Road Near Newman
A preliminary report by CHP traffic officers revealed that one of the cars allegedly entered the oncoming traffic lane to overtake a semi-truck in front of them. This, unfortunately, resulted in a head-on collision with the other vehicle, allegedly causing both cars to strike the side of the tractor-trailer. Moments after the car accident, the Ram allegedly caught fire and engulfed in flames.
Sadly, the drivers of the Nissan and the Ram were declared deceased at the scene. The big rig driver was uninjured in the traffic collision, according to officials. The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the decedents as 38-year-old Patrick Gomez and 52-year-old Alexandria Patterson of Newman. An investigation into the fatal car accident is ongoing.
What is a Wrongful Death Case and How Can it Help Our Family?
When a loved one has lost their lives in a motor vehicle collision caused by the negligence of another party or entity, surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. This type of case is intended to hold the other side accountable for negligent actions and to provide survivors with the financial recovery they need for economic and non-economic damages incurred. While no amount of money may undo the pain of losing a family member or bring them back, holding the at-fault party liable for the harm their negligence has caused may provide the family with the sense of justice they need in addition to a secure future.
The most crucial element of any fatal car accident case is negligence. Retaining legal counsel is essential in such situations as an attorney can work to gather evidence that is demonstrative of negligence and proves that the other side failed in their duty of care owed to the decedent to protect them from harm’s way. Since key evidence may be lost or destroyed over time, it is essential to hire an experienced accident attorney right away to make sure that an independent investigation into the incident is conducted right away. This is particularly important in head-on collision cases as liability is often disputed by insurance companies.
One of the many reasons why insurers dispute liability in a car accident is to get out of paying a claim for damages incurred. With the decedent no longer around to provide their account of the incident, that is another reason why it is crucial to retain legal counsel. An experienced attorney may work with an accident reconstruction expert to determine the sequence of events leading up to the head-on collision to properly determine fault. This way, the other side, and their insurer may be held liable for the damages their negligent actions have caused. For additional information on wrongful death claims and how they may help your family, watch this video.
About Our Law Firm
When you have lost someone you love in an accident caused by a negligent party, you need someone on your side looking out for your rights and interests. You do not have to look any further, as you and your family can depend on our legal team at AutoAccident.com to accomplish that. We have over three decades of experience handling wrongful death claims like yours and would be honored to put our knowledge and skills to work for your case. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you through this difficult time.
Car Accident Lawyer in Newman
I’m Ed Smith, a Newman car accident lawyer. The loss of a loved one in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver or entity is devastating and painful. While you may need time to grieve and recover from your loss, it is essential to keep in mind that insurance companies will not be waiting. Insurers will be quick to conduct their own investigations of the crash and resort to any defense tactic to get out of paying fair compensation on a claim. This may include delaying a claim in hopes of the statute of limitations expiring. Contacting an attorney immediately is essential as California has a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death cases. This deadline may be shortened to as little as six months in claims involving government entities. Therefore, there is limited time to build a strong case for fair compensation. Get started today and learn about your rights as a surviving family member by calling our law firm to schedule a free consultation at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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