[05-13-2022] Merced County, CA – Woman Killed, Teenager Badly Injured in Fatal Crash on Interstate 5

A woman was killed, and a teenager was seriously injured in a fatal crash on Interstate 5 on Friday, May 13, 2022.

The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Interstate 5 near Gustine.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the woman and the female teenager were in a 2008 Toyota sedan traveling southbound on Interstate 5.

The car was in the first lane and approaching Pete Miller Road when the driver allowed the car to partially enter the center gravel median for an unknown reason.

According to the CHP, the driver then turned the Toyota to the right, sending it in a southwesterly direction.

The Toyota went off the west road edge, crossing both lanes of traffic.

The vehicle then continued down a grassy embankment before colliding with a barbed-wire fence.

The Toyota overturned multiple times, according to the CHP, before coming to a stop on its wheels.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering fatal injuries.

The woman’s name has not been disclosed pending notification of her relatives. However, she was from Springfield, Oregon, and was 51 years old.

The teen suffered serious injuries and was flown to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera by air ambulance.

Seatbelts were worn by both the woman and the teenager.

It’s unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision at this time.

The crash remains under investigation.

Fatal Car Crash Statistics

There are a disproportionately high number of fatalities in single-vehicle crashes across all types of California highways.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 62% of all fatal car accidents in California are caused by one vehicle. There are many factors to consider when driving in California because of the high number of single-vehicle accidents.

There are a variety of potential causes for a single-vehicle collision. A single-car accident is likely to occur when a driver loses control while speeding or making sharp turns on a wet or slippery road. Also, a large branch or a piece of truck bed debris may also be found on the roadside.

Your insurance policy’s comprehensive coverage plan is likely to limit your compensation even in the event of an accident caused by an unexpected occurrence, such as an animal jumping in front of your vehicle.

Merced County Car Accident Lawyers

Many car accident victims are unable to return to work or school due to their injuries. Negligent drivers are still held accountable for their actions even if a victim dies as a result of their negligence. Victims’ surviving family members (or legal heirs) can file a wrongful death suit against the driver who killed them due to negligence.

They’re having a hard time coping with this procedure at the moment. In depositions and trials, victims are required to give testimony about their losses in front of strangers. During a long legal battle, one’s mental health can suffer greatly.

After an accident is caused by a negligent driver, it is critical that they be held responsible. Holding those responsible accountable is critical when negligence has resulted in a high death toll. The process of filing a wrongful death claim can be emotionally draining for grieving families, but it can also provide a measure of comfort. Everyone who drives in California will be happy to hear this.

Our Merced County car accident lawyers at Arash Law have decades of combined experience and have obtained verdicts and settlements totaling more than $500 million for their clients throughout the state. People from all over California come to us for help. Call us at (888) 488-1391 or email us to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our skilled car accident attorneys.