Two people were killed and one was injured when a vehicle pulling a trailer was struck from behind near Visalia Friday afternoon. KGET-TV reported the accident happened just before 1:30 p.m. along Highway 99 just south of Avenue 48.
The California Highway Patrol said that a Toyota pulling a trailer was traveling northbound when a Chevrolet hit the trailer from behind. The driver of the Toyota lost control of the vehicle and continued to travel into the east side of the freeway where it overturned.
The driver of the Toyota was taken to the hospital with injuries. Two passengers in the Toyota were tragically killed. The two passengers who lost their lives were a 30-year-old male passenger from Bakersfield and a 27-year-old woman from San Diego.
The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured and stayed on the scene. Investigators did not believe drugs or alcohol played a part in the accident.
Automobile Accident Dangers on Highway 99 in Visalia
With a heavy amount of traffic day and night and the high speeds involved, Highway 99 through Central Valley can be a very dangerous place for motorists. The state route makes national lists of the deadliest roadways in all of the U.S.
Value Penguin ranked Highway 99 as the most dangerous road in America considering the shorter distance it runs than other highways in the study. They found that the state route had 62.3 Fatal Accidents per 100 miles over a five-year period.
The route recorded 264 fatal accidents over that span. Fresno alone saw 34 fatal accidents along the city’s stretch of Highway 99. The study also pointed out that Highway 99 ranks as the worst lit highway in America, finding that almost 40% of accidents occurred at night.
These accidents are almost always the fault of a careless or reckless driver. A single mistake in one lane can affect every other vehicle nearby and lead to devastating collisions with severe consequences for victims and their families.
Finding Help for Families After a Tragic Car Accident
Families who have lost a loved one in an accident are allowed to seek support by filing a wrongful death claim against an at-fault driver and his or her insurance provider. This claim seeks to help the family avoid financial hardships after an accident.
After a tragedy, families have many rights that are meant to protect them, but insurance companies are not required to inform them of these rights. It’s important to talk to a car accident lawyer to make sure everything available to keep your family protected now and in the years to come is called upon.
If you or a family member is ever involved in a serious crash be sure to speak to an attorney in your area. You can visit our page about car accidents for more information.
