Fatality and Injury Reported in Head-On Crash on Highway 99
A head-on crash involving a Dodge Caravan minivan and semi occurred near Yuba City on January 5 and may have involved speeding. The accident occurred along Highway 99, close to Highway 13 at about 11:00 p.m. An off-duty officer with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived at the accident scene first and discovered the driver of the minivan had died.
Drunk Driving Suspected in Fatal Collision With Semi
The CHP determined that the minivan was speeding, and the vehicle veered out of its lane and hit a Kenworth semi, pulling a 53-foot trailer head-on. The semi-driver declined medical attention. The highway in the area of the accident was shut down for around three hours as the scene was cleared. Alcohol consumption appeared to be a factor in the cause of the crash, according to the CHP.
Causes of a Head-On Crash
Although a head-on collision can occur for many reasons, the following are the most common:
- Speeding: Excessive speed is one of the leading factors in head-on collisions, as it reduces a driver’s ability to respond quickly enough to oncoming traffic or unexpected obstacles.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving can lead to drivers not noticing an oncoming vehicle until it is too late, resulting in a head-on collision. Common forms of distracted driving include texting and eating behind the wheel.
- Fatigue: Drivers who are fatigued may drift into other lanes due to their lack of concentration, leading to a head-on crash with another vehicle.
- Unfamiliarity with roadway layout: Head-on collisions often occur when drivers unfamiliar with a roadway are driving in the wrong lane and collide with oncoming traffic.
- Poor visibility: Low visibility due to weather conditions or other factors can make it difficult for drivers to see an oncoming vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision.
- Driving while intoxicated: Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol often have impaired judgment, which can lead them to drift into other lanes.
- Improper lane changes: When changing lanes without properly checking blind spots, a driver may not realize that they are entering an occupied lane and end up colliding with another vehicle head-on.
- Aggressive driving/road rage: Aggressive drivers may make unsafe lane changes or swerve into oncoming traffic in an attempt to get ahead of other vehicles, leading to a head-on crash.
Filing a Claim for Wrongful Death
If your loved one died in an accident caused by a negligent driver, your family can potentially file a wrongful death claim to recover compensation. An injury lawyer can help by gathering the evidence to support your claim and negotiating for you with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If negotiations fail, the lawyer can also take the evidence to build a strong case to present in civil court. It is important to have an experienced lawyer who can amass evidentiary proof of negligence that will help your case.
Fairfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith. I am a Fairfield wrongful death lawyer. A wrongful death claim may be available if your loved one died due to someone else’s negligent actions. Get free and friendly advice from our accident attorneys by calling (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400. If you would like to contact us online, you can send us a message.
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Photo attribution: Image by Vladyslav Topyekha from Pixabay
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