Tragic Highway 99 Accident Leaves One Man Dead
ABC30 News reported on a tragic motor vehicle accident last week that claimed the life of a Dinuba man. The accident occurred near Bakersfield as the victim as driving north on Highway 99.
In a freak accident, a tire came off a vehicle traveling south, crossed the center divide, and struck the victims vehicle. The tire crashed through the windshield. The driver died from injuries sustained in the accident after being transported to the hospital. The victim’s nine-year-old daughter was also transported to the hospital where she was recovering from her injuries at the time of the news report. The incident was still under investigation.
Our office extends our deepest sympathies to the family for this tragic loss.
Accidents Caused by Road Debris
It is unclear why the tire came off the other vehicle and caused the above crash. It may take months of investigation to determine how the accident occurred and who is liable for damages. However, road debris is a common cause of motor vehicle accidents in the United States.
Thousands of people are injured or killed by accidents caused by road debris each year. A recent report found that more than 200,000 motor vehicle accidents resulting in 500 deaths occurred over a four-year period. Approximately 39,000 people were killed over the same four-year period from 2011 through 2014. About one-third of the accidents happened when drivers swerved to avoid debris.
Common sources of road debris include:
- Objects falling from vehicles
- Littering
- Car parts
- Road construction
- Storms
- Tire blowouts
- Fallen trees or other foliage
Who is Liable for an Accident Caused by Road Debris?
The person or party responsible for damages caused by a road debris accident depends on who was negligent. You must prove that the at-fault party owed a duty of care to you and the breach of that duty of care is what caused your injury. In road debris accidents, one or more parties could be held liable for damages. For example, if a person is transporting furniture that falls off a truck because it was not properly secured, that person may be liable for damages caused by an accident.
On the other hand, if debris is left in the middle of a public road, a government agency could be liable if it failed to take action to correct the problem before an accident occurred. It can be difficult to prove the government entity is responsible, but not impossible. It simply takes time and investigation by an experienced Fresno car accident attorney.
One thing to remember, if a government agency is responsible for the accident, you must act quickly. You have a very limited time to file a notice of claim with the specific agency, or you lose your right to file a lawsuit against the government entity.
Call Now for a Free Appointment with a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer
If you are injured in a road debris accident, it is important you seek experienced legal counsel as quickly as possible. These types of car accident cases can be complex. Therefore, the sooner you contact an attorney to begin working on your case the better.
Call Torem & Associates at (888) 500-5000or use the contact form on our website to schedule your free consultation with a Central California Valley car accident attorney.
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