Yuba County, CA — A devastating crash on Highway 70 in Yuba County late Monday night, September 23, 2024, claimed the lives of two Marysville residents, 62-year-old Anthony Montana and 63-year-old Traci Conley. The pair were riding together on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when they collided with a car, according to The Sacramento Bee.
The accident occurred around 11:30 PM near Ellis Road, a stretch of Highway 70 just north of Marysville. Montana, the driver, and Conley, his passenger, were heading northbound when a 21-year-old driver of a Toyota Corolla pulled out of a driveway, turning directly into their lane. The motorcycle struck the rear of the car with such force that both Montana and Conley were ejected from the bike.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but despite their efforts, Montana and Conley were pronounced dead at the scene, while the 21-year-old driver of the Corolla and his 19-year-old passenger were uninjured.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has confirmed that neither drugs nor alcohol were factors. They are still investigating the details of the collision.
Wrongful Death Claims
Determining fault in an accident can involve many factors. One key way a personal injury attorney can support families after the loss of a loved one is by helping to establish legal responsibility.
If someone else is found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income or support for the family.
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Wrongful Death or injury claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help families pursue proper compensation for their loss by handling these legal complexities and negotiating with insurance companies, who always try to reduce payouts on claims 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.
