Fatal Rollover Crash in Madera County
Officials in Madera County responded to a report of a rollover crash on Road 1 and reported fatal injuries following the incident on the late night of Sunday, February 13, 2022. The fatal car accident occurred on a private dirt road just south of Avenue 21 and east of Road 1, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Details on the Fatal Rollover Crash on Avenue 21 and Road 1 in Madera County
A preliminary report suggested that two parties were involved in a rollover accident in the area, including the driver identified as a 45-year-old man and an 18-year-old passenger. Investigators said that the driver was ejected from the vehicle in the crash and thus, suffered fatal injuries as a result.
The passenger sustained injuries described as minor in the collision and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, according to CHP traffic officers. Additional information on the fatal car accident in Madera County was not immediately available as an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Who is Responsible for a Single-Vehicle Accident?
Not all car accidents involving one vehicle are the result of driver error. There are some circumstances where the incident may have occurred because of the negligence of an entity such as an automaker or a government agency. In a situation involving the former, an auto products liability claim may be brought against a vehicle manufacturer for a rollover accident if the vehicle in question failed to uphold the criterion set forth in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216 on roof crush resistance. When there is clear and compelling evidence proving that, in addition to testimony by an accident reconstruction expert and other expert witnesses, the claimant may seek financial recovery for the exacerbation of injuries or death in connection with the incident.
In a fatal car accident case involving a road defect, it is often necessary to retain an accident reconstruction expert to prove that the unsafe design or insufficient maintenance of the roadway was a contributing factor to the crash. Whenever a notice of claim is brought forth against a government entity, a different statute of limitations usually applies. Instead of the standard two-year statute of limitations, a claimant generally has 180 days from the date of the incident to file a claim against the government entity. Refer to the California Government Code Section 911.2. for more details. For either of these situations, it is essential to preserve the vehicle involved in the rollover collision for an experienced Madera wrongful death lawyer and their team of investigators to evaluate and determine whether a road defect or faulty vehicle parts contributed to the crash. For information on how to find the best lawyer in your area to handle your wrongful death claim, watch this video.
Options for Passengers Injured in a Single-Vehicle Accident
When a passenger has suffered injuries in a car accident involving one vehicle, there may be several options for financial recovery based upon the facts and circumstances of their case. For instance, if the incident was attributed to a road defect or faulty vehicle equipment, they may have grounds for a claim against the government entity responsible for the design and maintenance of the roadway or the vehicle manufacturer, respectively. When it has been determined through clear and compelling evidence that the driver of the car was responsible for the single-vehicle accident, a passenger may bring a bodily injury claim against the at-fault party. A settlement for damages incurred is generally paid by the insurance company that provided liability coverage for the negligent motorist up to the limits of the policy.
In situations where the driver responsible for the solo-car crash has insufficient or no auto insurance, the injured passenger may turn to their insurance policy for recourse if they have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Conversely, if the passenger did not have a car insurance plan but lived in a household with someone who has UM and UIM coverage, they may be able to bring a claim under that policy. Keep in mind that this is a viable option for financial compensation so long as the policyholder did not list the injured passenger as an excluded member of the plan. When faced with such a situation, it is best to have your case reviewed by the best injury lawyer in your area.
Personal Injury Attorney in Madera
I’m Ed Smith, a Madera personal injury attorney. Sustaining traumatic injuries or losing a loved one in a rollover collision is devastating for all parties involved. If this has happened to you or a member of your family, contact our law firm today to schedule a meeting with one of our accident attorneys for free, friendly case advice at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400.
If you would like to know more about our law firm at AutoAccident.com and how we have helped past clients with their accident cases, go to these links:
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Photograph Source: By “StockSnap” from Pixabay
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