A California highway was recently shut down after a fatal motor vehicle accident. Investigators are still working to resolve unanswered questions, such as what exactly may have caused a woman to veer out of her lane and into oncoming traffic moments before the crash occurred. Sadly, a man believed to be in his 30s was struck head-on by the wrong-way driver and did not survive his injuries.
The highway was closed for several hours following the tragic incident, which occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on a recent Friday. The woman was in an eastbound lane when her vehicle suddenly veered over the line into westbound traffic. She crashed head-on into the BMW, the impact of which resulted in fatal injuries to the other driver.
Wrong-way collisions are often caused by driver negligence
Most wrong-way crashes are the result of driver error. These collisions are often caused by drivers who become momentarily distracted or who are driving while intoxicated. In this particular case, investigators have not yet established whether alcohol was a factor.
Support for families who are grieving the loss of a loved one
When a California collision results in fatality, it has immediate and far-reaching implications, especially for the deceased victim’s loved ones. In situations where a death occurred because of driver negligence, an immediate family member of the victim may seek restitution by filing a wrongful death claim in a civil court. There is no way to make up for the loss of a human life; however, compensation awarded to plaintiffs in a wrongful death claim may be used to help cover funeral expenses or other financial damages brought on by a fatal collision.