Tracy Man Killed in Single Vehicle Accident
A single-vehicle accident claimed the life of a young man in an unincorporated area of Alameda County just outside Livermore on August 12, 2018. At approximately 8:00 in the morning, a man was driving his white Ford Mustang along Mines Road when he lost control of his vehicle while navigating a curve in the roadway and veered off a steep hill. This caused the Ford to crash into multiple trees which entrapped the driver inside. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), friends of the Ford driver were traveling in other vehicles and stopped after they saw the collision. Due to a lack of cell phone reception, the victim’s friends were prompted to extricate him out of the vehicle on their own and travel to an area with cell service to contact emergency personnel. The victim was later transported by emergency responders to an area hospital where he, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries. Officials from the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau have identified the victim as Jon Gullette, a 19-year-old man of Tracy.
I would like to send my thoughts and condolences out to the friends and family of Jon during this heartwrenching time.
Causes of Single Vehicle Accidents
In California, 3,623 traffic accidents resulted in fatalities in 2016. Of that number, approximately 57 percent involved single-vehicle car accidents which claimed the lives of 2,063 victims. Driver error is common in these types of car accidents and is often caused by drunk or drugged driving, speeding, distracted driving, and driver fatigue.
Outside Factors Attributable to Single Vehicle Accidents
Outside factors can sometimes cause motor vehicle accidents. When influences other than driver error result in a single-vehicle accident, the victim or surviving family members of the decedent may be able to bring a claim for damages incurred. Some of these outside factors may include:
- Vehicle Defects: Motor vehicle recalls are common and are capable of causing serious injury or even death in some extreme cases. Defective accelerator pedals, steering wheels, and brakes can significantly affect a motorist’s ability in controlling their vehicle.
- Road Rage Incidents and Aggressive Drivers: Drivers who do not respect the right of way of other motorists on the road or attempt to intentionally cause a crash can cause severe harm to others. Some examples of road rage or aggressive driving may include following too closely, speeding, intentionally slamming on the brakes, and forcing another vehicle off the roadway.
- Road Defects: Government entities such as the county or state are responsible for roadway design and maintenance. Design errors can cause a car accident when shoulders are nonexistent, warning signage is obscured or missing, and curves are too sharp. Lack of maintenance can also contribute to an accident when a vehicle strikes an upheaval in the pavement or pothole, traffic signs obstructed by overgrown tree limbs, and damaged guardrails. Those who have been injured or lost someone they love in an accident caused by a road defect must bring a claim against a government entity within six months or 180 days from the date of loss to recover damages. For more details, contact an experienced attorney.
Single Vehicle Accidents and Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one in a single-vehicle accident is an experience no family should have to undergo alone. If this situation applies to you and your family, contacting an experienced wrongful death attorney in Tracy is crucial in receiving advice about your legal options. An attorney with years of experience can conduct an independent investigation into the sequence of events leading up to a single-vehicle accident to properly determine fault. When this is done, it can make the process easier for a family to recover compensation in a wrongful death claim for the loss of their loved one.
Tracy Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Tracy wrongful death lawyer. If you have lost someone you love due to the negligence of someone else, an experienced injury attorney can help in recovering financial compensation. Please feel free to give me a call anytime at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free and friendly advice.
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To find out about some of my prior cases and how they were resolved, go to my Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Source: By “StockSnap” via Pixabay
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