Tuolumne, CA — A tragic two-vehicle collision near Don Pedro Reservoir in Tuolumne County claimed four lives on Friday, May 31, 2024, according to The Modesto Bee.
According to the CHP, the collision occurred when a 56-year-old man from Stockton, was driving a 2020 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck northbound on Bonds Flat Road. Riding in the Chevrolet with him were a 66-year-old woman from Modesto and a 65-year-old woman from Salida.
The Stockton man was reportedly “unlawfully passing another vehicle over the double yellow line at approximately 100 mph or faster” as he approached the T-shaped intersection with La Grange Road.
Meanwhile, a 33-year-old woman from La Grange was driving a 2005 Toyota Highlander southbound on Bonds Flat Road at about 45 mph, resulting in a head-on collision in the southbound lane. The force of the impact was so severe that it propelled the Toyota backward approximately 106 feet. The fronts of both vehicles became jammed together.
Despite all occupants wearing seat belts and the deployment of airbags, all four individuals died at the scene. The CHP noted that it is still undetermined whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash; toxicology results are pending.
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.
Suppose it is determined that another party holds some portion of responsibility for their loved one’s death. In that case, 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.
Passenger Liability
The liability insurance that drivers carry is not just meant to cover accidental harm caused to those outside of the vehicle. A driver is responsible for the safety of those in their vehicle as well. While making a wrongful death or personal injury claim against someone who knew the victim personally may prove emotionally challenging, the financial burdens following a vehicular accident can be hefty.
A good personal injury attorney can help grieving families seek proper compensation for their loss by navigating these tricky issues, as well as negotiating on the victim’s behalf with insurance companies, who routinely work to minimize the payout of any claim they cannot deny.
