Fresno, CA – According to KBAK, a 61-year-old woman lost her life Friday afternoon, September 8, 2024, after her vehicle collided with a big rig on Highway 180, just west of Fresno. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the fatal accident occurred near the intersection of Hayes Avenue and Whitesbridge Avenue.
The woman was driving a Toyota Camry north on Hayes Avenue and had stopped at the stop sign at the intersection with Whitesbridge Avenue, a rural stretch of Highway 180 lined with farmland. As she pulled out onto Whitesbridge, she entered the path of a big rig hauling pistachios.
The truck driver collided with the driver’s side of her vehicle, and despite efforts from emergency responders, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not been released as authorities work to notify her family.
The driver of the big rig, who was unharmed, remained at the scene and cooperated fully with the investigation. The CHP does not suspect drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, and no charges have been filed against the truck driver.
Wrongful Death Claims
While no amount of money can bring back loved ones lost in a vehicular fatality, the emotional toll of such a loss is often compounded by the financial burden that falls on surviving family members.
Filing a Wrongful Death claim with the insurance provider of those who bear even partial liability can provide compensation to help cover medical expenses, burial costs, and the loss of support for the deceased’s dependents.
Insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing the payouts for claims. Therefore, the expertise of a skilled personal injury attorney is crucial in securing fair compensation and justice for the deceased.
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.
