Fatal Lake County Truck Accident
On Tuesday, October 26, 2019, a fatal Lake County truck accident took place near the community of Nice. Information released by California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicated that the accident happened during the afternoon and left one person with fatal trauma and injured one more individual. The crash involved two vehicles, including a van and a commercial big-rig. The decedent has been identified as a 66-year-old resident of Oakley. However, his name is currently being withheld until his family is notified. The collision remains under active investigation.
Crash Information
The crash happened at about 3:18 p.m. on Highway 20 to the east of Manzanita Drive. The Oakley man had been traveling eastbound in a white 2002 Ford E250 while a 48-year-old Ukiah man was heading west in a 2008 Peterbilt semi-truck. For reasons that are not currently understood, the van drifted left and crossed over a double left-turn lane before entering the westbound side of the highway. After entering oncoming lanes, the van collided head-on with the semi-truck, causing extreme damage to the smaller vehicle.
Medical responders dispatched to the crash site say that they found the van driver was critically injured. Tragically, the man passed away at the scene. The driver of the big-rig was found with minor injuries, and medical officials transported him to the Sutter Lakeside Hospital to receive treatment and screening for further trauma.
Investigation
As investigators attempt to determine what factors caused this accident, reports indicate that police don’t suspect driving under the influence was involved. Additionally, CHP stated that both drivers were wearing seatbelts when the crash took place. Sadly, when drivers pass away after an accident, they often aren’t able to tell police what happened. This can mean that key collision factors go overlooked during investigations. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to contact a skilled wrongful death lawyer who knows how to investigate collisions in order to find out if any negligence was involved.
Trucking Accidents
Commercial trucks are large and difficult to maneuver. For these reasons, they are much more likely to cause major injuries in the event of a crash compared to normal passenger vehicles. The companies that own and operate these trucks are aware of these risks and are almost ready to begin defending themselves legally immediately after a crash. In most cases, the company will send a legal team to the accident site to collect evidence and take witness statements.
Because trucking companies are so well prepared, it’s vital to reach out to a wrongful death attorney as soon as you can. The sooner that your lawyer can start working, the more effective they can be negotiating with insurers and presenting your case in court. Even if you are unsure about whether or not you will need a lawyer, it’s always best to reach out for advice as soon as you can. If you’d like more information about finding the right attorney for your case, watch this video:
More Articles by Ed Smith, Clearlake Truck Accident Lawyer
- Serious DUI in Clearlake
- What is a Clearlake Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Major Injuries in Clearlake Crash
Clearlake Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Clearlake truck accident lawyer. If a vehicle accident left somebody you care about with severe or fatal trauma, get in touch with me by calling (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900 so that I can help you by giving you free, friendly advice regarding your situation.
My firm has been working alongside residents of Clearlake and other area cities on wrongful death cases for more than 37 years. To find out more details about the work we’ve done, take a look at the settlements and verdicts page on our website or visit the below pages where you can find reviews from our clients themselves:
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