Woman Killed After Crash on Hatch Road in Ceres
A woman was killed after a crash on Hatch Road and Central Avenue in Ceres, CA, on the morning of May 18, 2020. The car accident occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. and involved a pickup truck and a red sedan. According to the Ceres Police Department (Ceres PD), the driver of the sedan was involved in a head-on collision with a pickup truck carrying two people. An ambulance arrived on site to transport the two parties inside the pickup to the hospital for treatment. Sadly, the driver of the sedan passed away at the scene. Officials have identified her as Martha Guzman of Modesto.
Why Are Head-On Collisions Dangerous?
A head-on collision is among the most severe types of motor vehicle accidents due to the high risk for serious injuries or death. Such crashes occur when the front end of one vehicle collides with the front end of another. Because of the potential for catastrophic injuries or fatality, determining who was at-fault for the collision is often necessary for injured parties and families of decedents to recover losses incurred. This includes past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering in a personal injury case. Conversely, a wrongful death claim seeks compensation for funeral and burial expenses, end of life medical bills, lost future financial support, mental anguish, and loss of a loved one’s care, companionship, and support. Since several parties may be negligent for a head-on collision, proving liability may be challenging. However, an experienced injury lawyer can help in these situations by evaluating your rights following this type of car accident.
Car Accidents Caused by Poor Road Conditions
In some auto accident cases, a head-on collision may not only be caused by the other driver, but also by a government entity where the incident happened. Local and state governments are responsible for ensuring that public roads are in safe condition. Some of the ways a government agency may be found liable for a traffic collision caused by negligence include:
- Designing roads that are not safe for travel;
- Setting speed limits that are too fast for the area;
- Inadequate warning signage for drivers of potentially unsafe roadway conditions or advance notice of a horizontal curve in the road ahead;
- Insufficient inspections of the roadway for any potential hazards and defects; and
- Lack of repair and maintenance of the road to prevent dangerous road conditions
Sadly, many government entities fail to meet their legal duties for the above. As a result, roadways in poor condition exist throughout the state of California and can lead to catastrophic accidents, and the city of Ceres is no exception. For instance, a motorist may lose control of their car if they hit a pothole. This may cause them to drift into the oncoming traffic lane and be involved in a head-on collision with another driver.
How a Defective Vehicle Can Cause a Car Accident
Automakers may also be held financially responsible for the injuries and deaths of victims involved in head-on collisions. Vehicle manufacturers have a legal duty to perform regular inspections and ensure that their vehicles and vehicle parts are in safe, working order and meet federal guidelines. When an automaker fails to fulfill that duty and sells a defective car or car equipment that leads to an accident causing injuries or death, they may be held liable through an auto product liability claim. Whether the airbag abruptly deploys without warning, the braking system fails, or a tire unexpectedly blows, any of these situations can cause a driver to lose control and be involved in a car accident. When this happens, injured parties and families of decedents should preserve the car as evidence and file a claim against the automaker to recover compensation for their losses. To do this, they will need the assistance of a personal injury law firm that has the experience and resources to prove the case against the large company in court. For tips on how to find a good personal injury lawyer to handle your lawsuit, watch the video below.
Should You Get a Lawyer if a Loved One Was Killed in a Hatch Road Crash in Ceres?
A head-on collision may leave those involved with serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, facial scarring, and more. In some extreme cases, such crashes may result in the wrongful death of a loved one. After a car accident, it is critical to discuss your legal rights and options for recovery with a Ceres personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling these types of claims. Having an injury lawyer at your side who can help gather evidence, identify liable parties, and build a strong case for financial compensation is essential as you are trying to recover from your loss and get your life back on track. Personal injury and wrongful death cases involving government entities or automakers can be especially challenging, and you will need an experienced attorney who understands all relevant California laws that apply to your claim. If you would like to discuss a potential personal injury or wrongful death case, please call our Ceres car accident lawyers at AutoAccident.com as soon as possible.
Car Accident Lawyer in Ceres
I’m Ed Smith, a Ceres car accident lawyer. A head-on collision often leaves those involved with severe injuries, resulting in high medical expenses, time lost from work, and other damages. In some devastating cases, such accidents may result in the wrongful death of a loved one. If you have been injured or lost a loved one after a head-on collision in the Ceres area, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice on how to move forward in your situation.
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