Modesto Man Injured in Crash on Highway 49
A man from Modesto was injured in a head-on crash on Highway 49 in the San Andreas area on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. The incident occurred on State Route 49 just north of SR-12, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Investigation of the Highway 49 Crash
A preliminary investigation report revealed that an 86-year-old man was driving a 1953 Chevrolet pickup truck northbound on SR-49. At the same time, a 61-year-old Modesto man was driving a 2020 Ford F-150 southbound on Highway 49. For unknown reasons, the two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision. Moments after the initial accident, the Ford crashed into a 2013 Dodge Caravan that was stopped in a driveway off the roadway.
The Ford and Dodge both came to a rest blocking the driveway while the Chevrolet blocked the roadway, according to CHP traffic officials. The Chevrolet driver suffered serious injuries and was treated at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. The Ford driver was also taken to Memorial Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries. The Dodge driver, a 69-year-old woman from San Andreas, sustained injuries described as minor. She received treatment at San Joaquin General Hospital. Additional details on the incident were not immediately available.
What You Should Know About Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are among the most violent type of motor vehicle crashes. With the front ends of two vehicles striking each other from opposite directions, the impact involved in such accidents has the potential to result in catastrophic injury or even death to vehicle occupants.
Proof of which driver entered the oncoming traffic lane is necessary for succeeding in a personal injury claim for damages incurred. This may be done through a collection of evidence such as CHP traffic accident reports, video surveillance of the crash, eyewitnesses, and expert witnesses such as an accident reconstructionist. Fortunately, an experienced Modesto personal injury lawyer can help by handling all aspects of the case to ensure the claimant focuses on recovering from their injuries and getting their life back on track.
Who Pays for Damages in a Highway 49 Head-On Crash?
In California, the party or entity who caused the motor vehicle collision and their insurance company are generally responsible for covering the resulting damages. All drivers are required to carry bodily injury liability coverage in California. However, not all drivers carry sufficient liability insurance or none at all. In such situations, an injured party may turn to their auto insurance policy for recourse if they have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).
UM covers damages caused by a driver without liability coverage or a hit-and-run accident. Conversely, UIM coverage may come into play when the other party does not have sufficient insurance to cover injuries and damages in a head-on collision. For more details on the personal injury claims process in California, watch the video below.
What Can Be Recovered in a Personal Injury Claim for a Car Accident?
A personal injury claim is generally comprised of two types of losses, economic damages, and non-economic damages. Economic damages generally consider expenses for past and future medical treatment, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and other financial losses. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, encompass the intangible harms of an accident-related injury. This may include lost enjoyment of life, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering.
About Our Personal Injury Law Firm
Our experienced car accident lawyers in Modesto are here to protect your rights when injured in a motor vehicle collision. We will treat you like a member of our family as we understand the challenges of dealing with mounting medical expenses and not being able to work because of an accident-related injury.
When you hire our injury attorneys to handle your case, we will conduct an independent investigation of the crash, collect evidence, negotiate a fair settlement with the auto insurance company, and file a lawsuit in civil court, if necessary. To learn more about how we can help you after a crash, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Car Accident Lawyer in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto car accident lawyer. Our law firm has represented those injured in head-on collisions throughout California since 1982. If you or a loved one would like to speak with a member of our team to learn how we can help, please call (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to go over the details of your accident, answer your questions, and provide free, friendly case advice.
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Photograph Source: By “Elastic Compute Farm” via Pixabay
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