Two Killed in Siskiyou County Trucking Accident
California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that a vehicle accident left two people with fatal trauma after a collision that took place on a Siskiyou County Highway on Thursday, June 20, 2019. The accident reportedly involved two vehicles, a Jeep Cherokee and a commercial semi-truck. Siskiyou County officials have identified the fatally injured individuals as 45-year-old Jack E. Ratliff and his 13-year-old son. The accident remains under investigation by officers of CHP. My thoughts and sympathy are with Mr. Ratliff and his son’s family as they are grieving during this difficult time.
Crash Details
Police indicated that the collision happened at about 10:45 a.m. Ratliff and his son had been driving north on Highway 97 just outside of the city of Weed in a 1992 Jeep Cherokee. At the same time, a tractor-trailer driven by a 32-year-old Sacramento man was also heading north, approaching the location of the Jeep. According to reports, the large truck collided with the rear-end of the smaller vehicle, causing major damage. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Accident witnesses contacted CHP who immediately sent responders to the accident scene. When they arrived, medical officials determined that both occupants of the jeep had suffered critical trauma. Sadly, both individuals were declared deceased on-site. According to reports, the big-rig driver was not injured as a result of the crash.
Investigation
A CHP spokesperson told reporters that their investigation is “truly in its infancy” as officers attempt to determine what causal factors may have been involved. Collisions involving big-rigs are very dangerous and are frequently caused by factors like driving while fatigued, improper vehicle maintenance, auto part malfunctions, roadway hazards, medical issues, driver distraction, DUI, and more.
Trucking Accidents and Liability
Because of their size, commercial trucks often cause serious injuries in the event of an accident. The companies that own and operate these vehicles are well aware of the risk that comes along with driving a big-rig and are typically prepared to take action right away if one of their trucks is involved in a collision. Trucking companies usually have legal teams at-the-ready to respond immediately to accidents by visiting the collision site, gathering their own evidence, and taking statements from witnesses. For this reason, contacting an attorney early on can be vital after suffering damages related to a trucking accident.
The sooner that your lawyer can start working on your case, the abler they are to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for lost income, emotional trauma, and other expenses related to the accident. If you would like to get more information about finding a Yreka wrongful death lawyer you can trust with your case, watch this helpful video:
More Blogs from Yreka Wrongful Death Lawyer, Ed Smith
- Fatal Siskiyou Crash
- How can a Yreka Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
- Yreka Area Rollover Causes Fatal Injuries
Yreka Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Yreka wrongful death lawyer. The effects of car accidents can be devastating. If a collision has fatally injured a person you love, please get in touch with me at my local number, (530) 392-9400, or at (800) 404-5400.
I have been helping people in Yreka and nearby cities with wrongful death claims for more than 37 years. If you want more information about my work history, take a look at the many settlements and verdicts my clients have obtained. You can also read some of the reviews my clients have left on:
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