Stanislaus County, CA – According to The Modesto Bee, the Stanislaus County Coroner has identified two young men who lost their lives in a single-vehicle crash on Sunday, Jun 16, 2024, as Pedro Ruiz Rivera, 19, and Nathaniel Perez, 20, both of Modesto.
The Modesto Police Department reported that officers responded to the accident at the intersection of South Carpenter and Hatch roads around 1:30 AM. Upon arrival, they discovered Rivera and Perez had been ejected from the crash of a 2008 Honda Accord. Both young men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigation by the police indicates that the Honda Accord was traveling northbound on South Carpenter Road when it struck a raised concrete island at the intersection. The vehicle then collided with a signal light pole on the southeast corner of the intersection, resulting in the fatal ejections.
As of Monday morning, it remained unclear which of the two young men was driving at the time of the accident. Authorities have not yet determined whether driving under the influence played a role in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
In the wake of this unfortunate loss, GoFundMe accounts have been established to help cover funeral expenses for Ruiz and Perez.
Liability in Single-Vehicle Collisions
In certain situations, investigations may uncover that some liability for a single-vehicle collision falls on other drivers nearby or even on unsafe roadway structures. Sorting through these details to help victims and their families secure proper compensation is one of the key services a personal injury attorney offers.
After establishing liability, a personal injury attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on the victim’s behalf. Insurance companies invariably aim to minimize payouts for claims they cannot deny, making legal representation crucial for obtaining fair compensation.
Passenger Liability
The liability insurance that drivers carry is designed to cover accidental harm caused not only to those outside the vehicle but also to passengers within it. A driver is responsible for the safety of everyone in their vehicle.
While making a Wrongful Death or personal injury claim against someone who knew the victim personally can be emotionally challenging, the financial burdens following a vehicular accident can be substantial.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help grieving families seek proper compensation for their loss by navigating these complex issues and negotiating on the victim’s behalf with insurance companies, who routinely work to minimize the payout of any claim they cannot deny.
