A tragic head-on collision in rural Stanislaus County claimed the lives of both drivers involved Monday afternoon. The accident happened west of Turlock along West Main Street around 12:30 p.m. on March 8, 2021.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash between a Chevrolet Silverado pick-up and a Chevrolet Sedan, traveling in opposite directions, occurred just west of Crows Landing Road. They believe one of the vehicles veered into the path of the other, but have not said which vehicle.
The Modesto Bee reported that when CHP officers arrived on the scene they found that both drivers had already died. Sadly, there was no opportunity for lifesaving measures to be taken. The Stanislaus County coroner was called to the scene. The only information the CHP has released on the victims is that they were both adult males.
West Main Avenue was shut down and traffic was rerouted while the crash was investigated. The investigation into what caused the accident continues.
Dangerous Accidents Involving Head-On Collisions In Stanislaus County
Two-lane rural roads can end up serving more traffic than they were designed for and at times can put drivers at extreme risk. Oncoming traffic can be moving at highway speeds and with nothing to separate opposing lanes any mistake can result in devastating consequences.
Drivers can get distracted by their cellphones or be lost in thought and not notice that they’ve drifted into the path of oncoming traffic. Other drivers may have only a split-second to react to try to avoid a scary collision.
Stanislaus County Emergency Responders find themselves on the scenes of these terrible accidents far too often. California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) finds that in 2019 Stanislaus County saw 213 accidents involving a head-on collision. Tragically, nine lives were lost in these crashes and another 388 people suffered injuries.
These accidents can leave victims behind to start down the long road to recovery. They can also leave families suddenly without a loved one.
Legal Guidance for Families After Stanislaus County Accidents
Families can have to cope with the loss of a beloved family member while also having to struggle with the financial burdens that a terrible accident can leave behind. In these heartbreaking situations, families are allowed to file a wrongful death claim against the insurance provider for an at-fault driver.
Insurance companies aren’t legally required to inform a family of their rights after a tragedy. That’s why it’s important to get legal guidance from a local attorney who knows the area and has the experience to protect a family from insurance agents and their sometimes unfair treatment of victims.
If you or a family member is ever the victim of a serious crash be sure to speak to an attorney in your area. You can visit our page about auto accidents in Stanislaus County for more information.
