Accident on Santa Fe Avenue Causes Two Fatalities
A head-on collision in Modesto involving a Chevrolet SUV and a Dodge Ram truck with a flatbed resulted in the deaths of the Chevy driver and her passenger on April 28. The accident claimed the lives of two Denair residents, a woman, age 48, and a female minor, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The two females suffered critical injuries and were transported to Memorial Medical Center, where they both died.
Driver Crossed Into Opposing Lanes, Causing a Head-on Collision
The CHP reported that the head-on collision occurred along Santa Fe Avenue near East Keyes Road shortly before 8:00 in the morning. The driver of the Chevy was in the southbound lane when the vehicle crossed into the opposing lane into the path of the Ram truck. When the two vehicles collided, they exited the road and landed on the shoulder.
Head-On Collision Under Investigation to Determine Cause
The truck driver, a man who resides in Turlock, was also transported to a hospital with injuries described as moderate. It is unknown what made the driver of the Chevy lose control and veer over into the northbound lane. So far, it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs was a factor in the collision or if any of those involved were using seat restraints at the time of the crash. The investigation into the head-on collision is ongoing.
Causes of Accident Fatalities
Most accident fatalities are caused by negligence in California as they are elsewhere. Some of the causes of a head-on collision include:
- Distracted driving: Driving while texting or chatting on a cell phone is the number one cause of an accident. According to the National Safety Council, 53 percent of drivers think it is safe if technology in their vehicles is hands-free. However, when concentrating on a conversation, it is easy for a driver to cross over into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision.
- Fatigued driving: A driver who is too sleepy can begin to drift off and cross the centerline without being aware of it, which could lead to a head-on collision.
- Intoxication: Being drunk or under the influence of drugs can lead to a head-on collision because the driver is unaware of their actions behind the wheel of a car. In addition, a driver who is under the influence is a common cause of a frontal collision because the motorist has entered a highway ramp going in the wrong direction.
- Improper passing: Rural roads are common places for a head-on crash to occur. This happens because the driver either passes on a double-yellow line or has no clear view of oncoming traffic.
Investigation of a Traffic Collision
Many areas of focus come into play when someone is injured, or a loved one dies in a traffic accident. For the injured party to place a personal injury claim or the family to sue for wrongful death, negligence by another has to be shown as the cause. Our investigators:
- Review the police report for errors
- Interview the witnesses
- Perform accident reconstruction
- Look for traffic surveillance cameras
- Check for signs of government negligence
Once the evidence has been gathered, our lawyers construct a case that benefits our client’s claim.
Modesto Car Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Modesto car accident lawyer. You can place a compensation claim if your loved one was injured or died due to a negligent motorist. Please contact me for my free, friendly advice about what options are open to you at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. You can also contact us online if you prefer.
My legal team and I have helped numerous Modesto residents and others from Northern California in getting fair compensation for all types of traffic accidents and claims involving wrongful deaths since 1982.
Look over the links that follow to discover how we’ve helped others:
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