Careless drivers on Merced County’s rural highways can put motorists in their lanes and in oncoming lanes in immediate danger. Drivers can make a reckless decision and actually avoid striking another vehicle, but if their actions cause other motorists to crash, those drivers can still be held at fault.
At-fault drivers are responsible for paying for the car damage they cause and for the injuries that result from their mistakes. When an at-fault driver decides to flee the scene of the accident, they can leave victims waiting on the vital medical care they need. They can also leave families to pay hospital bills and other costs stemming from a terrible collision.
Four Vehicles Involved in Weekend Hit-And-Run Crash in Merced County
The actions of a hit-and-run driver caused a fatal four-vehicle crash in eastern Merced County. According to KFSN-TV, the accident happened along Highway 33 on Saturday afternoon June 24, 2023.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the scene at around 1:50 p.m. near Hulen Road. That’s south of Gustine. With the help of witnesses, officers determined that the driver of an Audi driving south had tried to pass a silver SUV. The Audi ended up in the path of an oncoming black pick-up truck, forcing the truck’s driver to swerve into the SUV head-on. The SUV caught fire and the pickup truck overturned.
The SUV driver was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The two 19-year-old victims in the pickup truck were injured in the devastating crash. A driver in a Ford Mustang ran off the road to avoid the other vehicles. The Mustang wound up in a ditch, but the driver was reportedly all right.
The Audi involved didn’t actually collide with any of the vehicles, but officers are blaming the accident on the driver’s reckless actions. The Audi’s driver drove away from the scene and has yet to be identified or located.
The CHP continues to look for the vehicle and the driver of the Audi. Witnesses described it as a dark blue or grey two-door Audi with tinted windows. If you have any information about the hit-and-run suspect, please contact the California Highway Patrol.
Support for Victims and Families After a Merced County Hit-And-Run Accident
Families will never completely recover from the emotional trauma of losing a loved one. However, they should be left free to grieve their loss without worrying over the bills that arise after a tragic accident.
Close relatives should have help paying for a funeral and burial and emergency services fees. They must also receive support in the future when they’ll be without the care and financial support a loved one can no longer provide.
Victims who survive frightening collisions should also receive compensation for every medical bill and the time they must miss at work.
When a hit-and-run suspect is apprehended, a wrongful death claim can be filed against the driver’s auto insurance company. The suspect would likely be facing a criminal trial, but the family’s civil claim would proceed separately and could be filed immediately.
When a hit-and-run suspect escapes identification, family members and surviving victims can still hope to earn insurance support to protect themselves. Families may be able to call upon their own car insurance policies. The victim may have had uninsured motorist coverage that could help out the family financially at such a difficult time. If the victim did not carry car insurance, he or she may have been covered by a family member’s policy.
Contact a Merced Car Accident Lawyer
To secure protection for you and your family after a devastating accident, talk to a Merced Car Accident Lawyer like Martin Gasparian. Mr. Gasparian has a long, extensive background in safeguarding victims and their families in Merced County and across the Central Valley after terrible accidents.
Contact Maison Law for a free and confidential case consultation. Martin Gasparian believes that families should be informed of everything available to them and remain completely protected after losing a loved one. If you decide you need to hire Maison Law to get the most out of your accident claim, you won’t need any upfront money. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for your family. Then our fee comes out of the insurance settlement check you receive.
