Ventura County Head-On Crash Kills Three on Highway 1
I’m Ed Smith, a Ventura car accident lawyer. A July 5 head-on crash near Mugu Rock in Ventura County caused the death of three persons and injured two others. The violent accident is currently under investigation by the California Highway Patrol as to the reason for the crash.
My prayers and sympathy are with those who lost loved ones and with those injured in the accident.
Details of the Accident
According to a representative of the Ventura County Fire Department, the crash happened shortly before 8:30 in the evening along California Highway 1, when a southbound Mercedes, driven by a Culver City man, 38, crossed the centerline and crashed into a northbound sport utility vehicle, driven by an older couple from Evergreen, Colorado. The three individuals who perished in the crash were a 63-year-old woman and her 81-year-old husband and the driver of the Mercedes. All three were pronounced deceased at the crash site.
Accident Injuries
Both grandchildren who were traveling in the sport-utility-vehicle were injured in the accident, one seriously and one with minor injuries, according to a CHP representative. Both of the young people were transported by ambulance to a hospital.
Road Closure
It was reported that wreckage from the accident was scattered across the road, and drivers were told to stay away from Highway 1 in the Mugu Rock vicinity and change to alternate routes. The lanes remained closed for about five hours before reopening.
Additional Dangers of Mugu Point
The area around Mugu Point is dangerous to drivers because some visitors pull off the road to take photographs, relax at the beach and enjoy the beautiful view. However, the high rock walls on both sides of the parking area make it difficult for drivers to see whether or not it is safe to pull back onto the highway. A vehicle pulling out of the area, when involved in an accident, may be struck by another vehicle traveling at highway speeds.
Determination of Fault in a Two-Vehicle Crash
In the above accident, an investigation of the crash can determine whether one driver was at fault or whether both drivers shared fault in the accident. A wrongful death action may be applied when one of the drivers is shown to be negligent and that negligence contributed to the accident and caused someone’s death. For example, the driver who caused the accident may have been drinking and driving, using a cell phone while driving or exhibiting other behavior that would be deemed negligent.
Damages That Can Be Recovered Because of a Wrongful Death
- Costs of the burial and funeral
- Loss of future support had the person lived
- Loss of the victim’s services as a parent if there are minor children
- Medical expenses if the victim lived for a time before dying (or through a Survival Action)
- Loss of household services
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of companionship and loss of consortium if the couple had a romantic relationship
- Punitive damages are recoverable if the death was caused by felony homicide
Damages That Can Be Recovered for a Victim
When an individual has been injured due to a negligent driver, he or she may be able to recover the following personal injury damages as monetary compensation.
- Medical costs, including ambulance, tests, rehabilitation, surgery and more
- Lost wages, including bonuses and commissions
- Out of pocket expenses such as prescription or over-the-counter medicines
- Pain and suffering, which includes the victim’s physical pain and emotional pain caused by the accident such as sleeplessness, anxiety, depression and other symptoms
Attorney Ed Smith
Ventura Car Accident lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Ventura car accident lawyer. Accidents occur suddenly and can result in serious injuries or the death of loved ones. If you or your family members were injured in an accident or have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, please call Ed Smith at (805) 372-0200. I can offer you friendly advice free of charge to help you. My toll-free line is (800) 404-5400.
Feel free to look over my client ratings and reviews on Google, Yelp and Avvo. My Verdicts and Settlements page offers added information on how my firm has assisted others in the past.
The membership of Million Dollar Forum is composed of trial attorneys around the country with top ratings. I am pleased to be a member from California in this group that only allows those with million or multimillion dollar verdicts or settlements.
I have practiced as an injury lawyer for over three decades. In that time, my law firm has helped numerous people who have suffered a personal injury or faced the grief of a wrongful death.
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