Interstate 5 Accident in Sacramento Kills One and Injures Two Others
A wrong-way accident occurred before midnight along Interstate 5 in Sacramento on August 29 that killed the driver and injured others. According to the report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a man was reportedly driving his Honda sedan in the wrong direction along northbound I-5 when it was involved in a collision with a Toyota near Highway 99. According to police, the crash was so violent that the Honda became airborne and then crashed into a Volvo semi. Sadly, the driver of the Honda, 46-year-old Ernest Gonzales of Woodland, was declared dead at the accident scene.
Additional Injuries in the Wrong-Way Accident
The Toyota driver, identified as a Sacramento resident, age 46, suffered major injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The trucker in the Volvo that was struck when the Honda landed on it suffered minor injuries and was also transported to a hospital. The truck driver was identified as an Idaho man, age 38.
Traffic Diverted Due to Multiple Casualty Accident
CHP officials said traffic was diverted to northbound Highway 99 for around 2 1/2 hours while an investigation in the wrong direction crash was conducted. They are asking that anyone who saw the collision or can provide information about it to call Officer A.J. McTaggert. McTaggert is stationed at the North Sacramento CHP office and can be reached at (916) 348-2317 or (916) 798-0975.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim Against an Estate
In the above accident, the driver who was going the wrong way died at the accident scene. A personal injury claim can be placed against the estate of the deceased person who was negligent and caused injuries to others. The burden of proof in this type of claim is the same as if the driver had lived. Over my many years as an injury lawyer, I’ve helped many people obtain the compensation that they deserve. The injured parties in the action may recover:
- All medical expenses, which may include the ambulance service, hospitalization, rehabilitation, testing, prescription medicines, and at-home care afterward
- Additional medical costs if the injury is expected to continue into the future
- Wages that were lost from being unable to work, bonuses and the value of other perks of the job
- Loss of consortium, love, affection, and care concerning family members
- Recovery of the cost of services normally performed by the injured person, including lawn and vehicle care, childcare, etc.
- Out of pocket costs such as mileage and gasoline expenses to physician appointments, Uber or taxi fare, and others
Collection of Evidence Following an Accident Injury
The collection of evidence is both important and necessary to support a client’s compensation claim. Our investigative team immediately heads to the site of the wrong-way accident to collect that evidence. This can include:
- Examining the police report for accuracy and talking to witnesses to the wrong-way accident
- Looking for video footage of the wrong-way accident from area surveillance cameras
- Performing accident reconstruction, which can illustrate how the collision occurred
- Searching for signs of government negligence such as poorly lit or placed signs, lighting problems and others
After the evidence has been compiled, our experienced lawyers use it to build a strong case in support of our client’s claim. In some cases, it is used with insurance company negotiations to obtain the best outcome for a client. In others, the case is taken to civil court.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. When a negligent motorist or other entity has injured you, I offer my free and friendly advice when you call me at (916) 921-6400. The toll-free number is (800) 404-5400, and an online form is available if you find this more comfortable.
Reviews by clients and additional information about my law firm can be found at the following:
I’m a member of:
It is an honor for me to have successfully represented many clients since 1982 for their traffic accidents, traumas such as brain injuries and wrongful deaths.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/condolences-trauerkarte-letters-3991589/
:cd llo [cs 718]