Santa Barbara County, CA – According to KEYT, on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, a fatal crash on Highway 1 near Black Road ended the life of a 28-year-old man from Santa Maria.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the Santa Maria man was driving northbound on Highway 1 in a 2010 Ford when the accident unfolded. Initial findings suggest that he collided with first one parked harvesting trailer situated on the east shoulder of the highway and then another.
Tragically, the man’s vehicle became pinned under the second trailer, leading to fatal consequences. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the car trapped beneath the trailer with its driver inside, and despite the efforts of medical personnel, the Santa Maria man was pronounced dead at the scene.
At this stage, it has not been determined whether the driver was impaired at the time of the incident.
Liability in Solo-Vehicle Collisions
In some circumstances, investigations can reveal that some portion of the liability for a solo-vehicle collision might fall upon other drivers in the vicinity of the accident or even unsafe roadway structures. Working through the particulars of liability to help victims and their families find proper compensation is one of the many services a personal injury attorney can provide.
Once liability has been established, a personal injury attorney can also negotiate on behalf of the victim with insurance companies, who will always seek to minimize the payout for any claim they cannot deny.
Wrongful Death Claims
Establishing fault in a collision can depend on multiple factors. Helping to determine legal liability is one of the ways that a personal injury attorney can help grieving families recovering from the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident.
If it is determined that another driver holds responsibility for their loved one’s death, they may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. A wrongful death claim can provide compensation to help cover hospital fees, burial costs, and the loss of support for dependents of the deceased.
Martin Gasparian is the founder of Maison Law, a California Personal Injury Law Firm. Martin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and has been practicing law in California 2004. His practice focuses on helping injury victims know their rights and recover just compensation.
