Yuba City Woman Dies in Crash on Sutter Bypass Bridge
A traffic fatality occurred near Yuba City on January 15 in limited visibility due to fog when she lost control of her car and crashed. The news release by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the young woman lost her life in the collision. First responders declared her dead at the accident scene.
Traffic Fatality Occurs When Vehicle Goes Into a Spin
The collision occurred when the Yuba City woman, age 27, was heading east along Highway 20 in a Toyota Corolla over Sutter Bypass Bridge around 7:15 a.m. The CHP reported that visibility was limited to around 100 feet because of heavy fog. Another Yuba City resident, a man, aged 34, was driving west in a GMC Sierra at 55 mph. According to the accident report, the Toyota driver lost control and went into a spin. Although the driver of the Sierra swerved left when the Toyota came into his lane, his vehicle struck the woman’s car on the passenger side, resulting in major damage and a fatality.
Traffic Fatality Accident Under Investigation
The driver of the Sierra was uninjured in the collision. The highway remained shut down while the accident was investigated by the CHP. No information was provided on whether alcohol or drugs might have factored into the crash. The name of the deceased driver has not been released pending notification of the family.
Losing Control of a Vehicle
Adverse weather conditions can make a vehicle go out of control and end up causing a traffic fatality. However, those aren’t the only reasons a driver can lose control of their vehicle. Some of the other causes of a traffic fatality that relate to a driver losing control include:
- Mechanical problems: There are a number of auto defects that occur in vehicles that can make the driver lose control and crash, possibly resulting in a traffic fatality. An accelerator that sticks, brakes that fail, or the engine just shutting down, which causes the steering wheel to lock, can all result in an accident beyond the driver’s control. When a serious accident occurs, it is important to keep the vehicle intact so that it can be examined for defects. If a defect that led to the traffic fatality or injury accident is found, the manufacturer can be held responsible by filing an auto product liability claim.
- Poor roadway maintenance: When a roadway has potholes, weakened guardrails, bad lighting, or other problems, it can cause a vehicle to go out of control and result in a traffic fatality. In these cases, the government entity that is supposed to maintain that roadway can be held liable. However, because the statute of limitations for filing against a government entity is short, enlisting the help of an injury lawyer may be a good idea.
- Other drivers: An aggressive or hit-and-run driver can force another vehicle off the roadway or cause them to have an accident and then leave the scene. An injury lawyer can investigate the traffic fatality accident to determine if another driver was present and caused the crash.
Filing a Claim for Wrongful Death
Although the family is grieving for the loss of their loved one, when another driver or entity was the cause, they often want to seek justice for them. By filing a wrongful death claim, the at-fault party can be held financially responsible for their loved one’s death. Although it will not ease their grief, it can help them avoid the financial stress of lost family income and cover the cost of end-of-life expenses, among others.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Yuba City
I am Ed Smith, a Yuba City wrongful death lawyer. When your loved one died in a collision due to a negligent driver, your family may want to find out whether they can file a wrongful death claim. You are welcome to call us for our free and friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also contact us online if you prefer.
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