Fort Bragg Man Fatally Injured After Rollover Highway Accident
On Sunday, June 21, 2020, a Fort Bragg man was fatally injured during an auto accident in Mendocino County. The decedent has since been identified by county officials as 24-year-old James Gardner. Gardner was reportedly the only individual involved in the solo-vehicle collision and the cause of the accident is currently under a California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigation.
Crash Information
The collision happened at 4:18 a.m. on Highway 101 to the north of Reynolds Highway between the communities of Laytonville and Willits. Gardner was driving a 1995 Toyota T100 northbound on 101 when, for unknown reasons, he allegedly lost control of his vehicle. The Toyota veered to the right and drove off the east side of the highway before colliding with a nearby embankment. As a result, the vehicle overturned.
Response
Multiple emergency response agencies sent staff to the accident scene. Responding agencies included Cal-Fire, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department, Long-Valley Volunteer Fire Department, CHP, and CalTrans. Medical officials at the crash location discovered that Gardner was critically injured during the crash and pronounced him deceased on-site.
Investigation
CHP has not indicated whether or not they suspect any particular factors to have caused the accident. Even when accidents only involve one vehicle, they can still be caused by a number of factors. Furthermore, many common car crash factors are things that involved drivers aren’t able to control. These kinds of factors include dangerous roads, defective car parts, and more.
Furthermore, accidents with no surviving parties are often very difficult for police to investigate. Because they are unable to gather information from any involved individuals, police may not discover critical evidence that could potentially be a major part of a wrongful death case. To be sure the accident is investigated thoroughly, it’s best to work with a skilled wrongful death lawyer who has experience conducting private accident investigations.
Rollover Collisions
When passenger vehicles overturn, occupants are very likely to suffer serious injuries. These kinds of accidents are especially dangerous because rollovers put pressure on vehicle roofs, which may not be able to withstand a serious amount of force. If the roof of a vehicle gives way, it can cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers.
Auto companies are expected to ensure that their vehicles are reasonably safe and able to protect occupants during accidents. Depending on the case, these companies are often considered partially or fully at fault in accident claims involving roof crush injuries. To make sure that your attorney can determine whether or not the vehicle manufacturer is financially liable, it’s vital to preserve the wrecked vehicle as evidence.
Calling an Attorney
While it isn’t possible to replace the presence of a person that you care about, families are often able to claim payments to help them cover their damages after a wrongful death accident. These payments can cover damages like hospital bills, funeral costs, lost income, personal suffering, and more. However, every case is different and you should always make sure to get professional advice before moving forward with a claim.
Further Blogs by Fort Bragg Wrongful Death Lawyer, Ed Smith
- Collision Near Fort Bragg Causes Traumatic Injury
- What is a Fort Bragg Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Fort Bragg Resident Turns Herself In After Hit-and-Run
Fort Bragg Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fort Bragg wrongful death lawyer. A deadly crash can be hard to deal with. For free, friendly advice about wrongful death cases, please call (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900 to speak with me personally.
My law firm has been working to help people in the Fort Bragg area for 38 years. We’ve been able to achieve many settlements and verdicts for our clients and have been reviewed extensively at:
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