Four Injured After Head-On Collision in Valley Springs
Four people were injured after a head-on collision on Highway 12 in Valley Springs on the morning of March 25, 2020. The car accident occurred on SR-12 and Double Springs Road, where a driver entered the oncoming traffic lane and collided head-on with another vehicle. One of the drivers, a 30-year-old Valley Springs woman, was taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto for treatment of serious injuries. Two minor passengers in the Valley Springs woman’s vehicle, ages 3 and 10, suffered minor injuries and were treated at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. The other driver involved in the crash, a 79-year-old Mokelumne Hill resident, reportedly refused medical transport, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Additional details, including the cause of the accident, were not immediately available.
What Should You Do After a Valley Springs Head-On Collision?
After a head-on collision, it is critical to seek the medical attention that you need. Your health should be your top priority, so you must ensure you keep up with your follow-up appointments and avoid gaps in treatment. For each visit, you should keep copies of medical expenses and receipts for out of pocket expenses like prescription medications and other items recommended by your doctor. You should also keep records of e-mails or letters that you have received from the other driver’s insurance company. If an insurance adjuster asks you for a recorded statement or to sign any paperwork, respectfully decline until you have consulted with a Valley Springs personal injury lawyer first. You do not want to say or do anything that may affect your right to claim fair compensation.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Car Accident?
Since a head-on collision is often caused by the negligence of another driver, injured people are often able to claim monetary damages for their losses. However, proving that another driver is to blame for the incident can be challenging and may require an extensive investigation. This often includes:
- Taking pictures of the vehicles involved in the crash and the extent of the injuries suffered
- Requesting a copy of the police report
- Collecting statements from witnesses
- Reconstructing the car wreck
- Retrieving the event data recorder or black box data of the cars involved
- Requesting video surveillance of the crash scene
- Gathering measurements of any skid marks in the roadway
To learn more about how fault is decided in an auto accident, watch the video below.
Is California a Comparative Fault State?
Compiling evidence and conducting an in-depth investigation is particularly important in California. This is because California follows a system of comparative fault, which means that injured people who share partial responsibility in a crash may only be able to collect a fraction of the compensation available to them. This is based upon the percentage of negligence assigned to each party involved. When a driver who caused your injuries in a head-on collision is claiming that you are at fault, you should seek the advice of an experienced injury lawyer. In most cases, a lawyer can overcome defense tactics insurance companies use when it comes to comparative negligence.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
A head-on collision can take an especially life-changing toll on injured people and their families. Catastrophic injuries often require years of painful surgeries and rehabilitation, while others may leave an injured person permanently disabled. Negligent drivers who have caused a car wreck should be held financially responsible for their wrongdoing. If you or a loved one have been injured after a head-on collision, it is critical to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Valley Springs who can help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Car Accident Lawyer in Valley Springs
I’m Ed Smith, a Valley Springs car accident lawyer. A head-on collision is tragic and often results in catastrophic injuries and extended rehabilitation for those involved. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured after a head-on collision in the Valley Springs area, please give me a call at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice.
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Picture Credit: By “ElasticComputeFarm” via Pixabay
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