[03-23-2020] Modesto, CA – Two People Dead After a Tractor-Trailer Crash on Highway 132

Two people identified as Damian Avina and Luis Garibay-Avina died after their vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer near Modesto on March 23rd. 

The pair were traveling southbound on Hart Road in their Volvo when all of a sudden, a semi-truck that was heading west on Highway 132 struck them. According to the initial reports, the accident occurred at around 6:50 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 132 and Hart Road. The driver of the semi-truck was identified as Harinder China.

Both passengers of the Volvo died on the scene. The driver of the big rig attained no injuries. 

Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash Investigation is Underway 

The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash. 

According to the California Department of Transportation, the dominant mode of freight transportation in California is big rigs or tractor-trailers. More than 78 percent of the communities in the State of California rely exclusively on tractor-trailers to move their cargo. Further, NHTSA forwards that the number of traffic fatalities that involved a big rig steadily rose from 2013 to 2017. This means that, as the trucking industry continues to grow in California, the number of fatalities caused by big rigs increases as well. 

Tractor-trailer accidents are caused by a variety of factors like loss of control of the truck, a tire blowout, a disabling or non-disabling vehicle failure, excessive speed, lane drifting, improper truck maneuvering, and driver fatigue. 

Tractor-trailer accidents are more deadly compared to other types of road accidents. It’s mainly because of the considerable size difference of big rig trucks in comparison to other vehicles on the road. A fully loaded big rig needs as much as 20 to 40 percent more stopping distance. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), the fatality rate of big rig trucks has increased by 30 percent since 2009. There were 4,102 traffic fatalities involving a big rig in 2017 alone. 

Dealing with tractor-trailer accidents can be complicated. When facing cases like this, it’s advisable to have a Modesto wrongful death attorney specializing in fatal tractor-trailer crash cases to conduct an independent investigation. Attorneys can utilize their resources to prove the negligence of the guilty party. They can hire expert witnesses, conduct driver background checks, and review applicable insurance coverage for their client. 

Wrongful Death Attorney for Victims of Fatal Tractor-Trailer Accidents 

It can be overwhelming for the victim’s family to suddenly lose a loved one due to a fatal tractor-trailer crash. While the official investigation is on-going, the victim’s family is entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim with the help of their wrongful death attorney. Through the wrongful death claim, the victim’s family can seek compensation for the damages (such as loss of companionship and income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress) that the accident has caused them.

A wrongful death attorney can serve as a helpful legal guide for the grieving family during this difficult time while ensuring that the guilty party will be held accountable for their alleged crime. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a big rig accident, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyer. The dedicated legal team at Arash Law in California has the experience, knowledge, and commitment to guide your claim toward its most beneficial outcome skillfully. We’re standing by to help – 24 hours a day and seven days a week – so please give us a call us at (888) 488-1391 today. Our offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Riverside, Woodland Hills, Orange County. They are more than happy to travel to your home, office, or place of recovery.

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