Fresno County, CA – According to KSEE, a 19-year-old man identified as Vanshdeep Singh of Madera died early Saturday morning, August 17, 2024, following a head-on collision on Highway 180, just west of Dickenson Avenue. The crash, which occurred shortly before 2 AM, also left two others with serious injuries.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Singh was driving eastbound on Highway 180 when his Toyota Camry veered into the westbound lanes. His car collided head-on with another Toyota Camry driven by 27-year-old Luis Salazar of Porterville. Salazar, along with his 26-year-old female passenger from Kerman, sustained major injuries in the crash.
The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles and despite the swift response from emergency personnel, Singh was pronounced dead at the scene. Salazar and his passenger were extricated from their vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
During the investigation, it was determined that Salazar had been driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI before being transported to the hospital for his injuries.
The CHP is still investigating the crash, including whether drugs or alcohol played a role in Singh’s actions that night. Toxicology results are pending to determine if Singh was also under the influence at the time of the collision.
Wrongful Death Claims
Establishing fault in a collision can depend on multiple factors. One crucial way a personal injury attorney can assist grieving families is by determining legal liability after the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident.
If another party is found to hold some responsibility for the death, the family may be eligible to file a Wrongful Death claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. This claim can provide compensation to help cover hospital fees, burial costs, and the loss of support for the deceased’s dependents.
Passenger Liability
The liability insurance that drivers carry covers accidental harm caused not only to those outside the vehicle but also to passengers within it. While making a Wrongful Death or personal injury claim against someone who knew the victim 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.
Comparative Negligence
California Law upholds the concept of Comparative Negligence, which allows more than one party to share blame in a personal injury accident. Injured victims may have their compensation reduced if they are found partially to blame.
