The initial event that leads to a car accident can happen in the blink of an eye. Drivers can be swerving to miss something on the highway, veer from their lane, perhaps lose control. A chain reaction begins with the other vehicles on the road and in some cases that can lead to multiple impacts.
The potential for serious injury and even a loss of life is always a possibility, but when a vehicle rolls over on its side or roof in an accident the results can be even more devastating.
Safercar.gov found rollover accidents were not even that common but were much more deadly when they were a part of a collision. In a single year, only 2.1% of accidents across the U.S. involved a rollover, yet they accounted for nearly 35% of all deaths from passenger vehicle crashes.
In these tragic instances, victims and their families can be left wondering who can be held responsible for the accident and the physical, emotional, and financial damage it leaves in its wake.
Madera County Rollover Accident on Highway 41
A Dodge Durango with three people inside was in a rollover accident early Thursday morning along Highway 41 near Road 406. The Fresno Bee reported the accident happened around 4 am on August 6, 2020.
The California Highway Patrol says the driver of the Durango was traveling south when the vehicle veered into the northbound lane and then overturned. The SUV was then struck in the driver’s side by a Nissan Altima.
The driver of the Durango, a 27-yr-old man from Fresno, was killed. His passengers suffered only minor injuries. The driver of the Nissan was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Getting Compensation for Victims in Accidents
After a tragedy involving a motor vehicle collision, a family may be left grieving a lost loved one and may also be helping the victims who survived cope with their injuries.
An at-fault driver in an accident can be held liable for the damages caused by their mistake. The state of California allows the family of a deceased victim to file a wrongful death claim against the insurance company of the responsible driver.
A representative for the immediate family will file the lawsuit. A spouse, a child, or even parents may be able to recover costs for things like funeral expenses, medical bills, and mental anguish. It’s also possible to receive compensation for the wages the deceased person would have provided to the family if he or she was still around and working.
A victim who survived an accident caused by another driver and was left with injuries can also file a claim to cover many of the same expenses. Compensation can include any lost wages from missed time at work and any future medical care the victim may require.
California Time Limit for Accident Claims
State law provides up to two years for victims or family members to file a claim. For a victim injured in an accident, the two years starts on the day of the collision. In a wrongful death case, the family has two years from the day the victim passed away to file their claim.
It is not recommended that you wait until the end of this period to file. If you intend to file a claim, the sooner the better. Evidence and documents for your case will be easier to collect immediately after an accident. A Central Valley accident attorney can help you with this important decision.
Contact a Madera Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member has suffered a serious injury or a loss of life in an accident speak to an experienced Madera County car accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.