One person was killed, while three others were injured following a two-vehicle collision near Apple Valley on Saturday morning, May 25, 2024.
According to the Apple Valley Fire Protection District, the fatal crash happened at about 6:57 a.m. on Highway 18 and Milpas Drive.
The crash involved a white Dodge Ram 1500 and a silver 2015 Toyota Rav 4. Upon arrival, firefighters found the pickup truck overturned on the dirt shoulder of the highway and the SUV several feet away from it. Both vehicles reportedly suffered major damage as a result of the incident.
Initial investigations suggested that the pickup truck was traveling east on Highway 18 while the SUV was traveling north on Milpas Avenue. For some reason, the two vehicles collided at the intersection.
Four people were confirmed to be injured in the accident. One of them suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, a man from the Toyota survived with major injuries and was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital for further medical care.
Two occupants of the pickup truck reportedly only sustained minor injuries. Both declined medical transport.
As of this writing, none of the injured individuals had been identified.
Highway 18 was blocked off between Milpas Drive and Sierra Palona Drive for a few hours while the authorities investigated the crash site. According to the CHP, the roadway was back to normal at about 10:40 a.m.
The official cause of the collision remains under investigation. Additional information was not immediately available.
Speak To Our Award-Winning Car Accident Lawyers In Apple Valley, CA
If you or a loved one has been in a vehicular accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Ask one of our personal injury attorneys, under the supervision of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., for advice regarding your car accident case. Our Apple Valley injury law firm is here for you!
Avail a free consultation with our reliable Apple Valley car accident lawyers, who will review your case, discuss the next steps, and examine all the variables that could affect your settlement amount. Additionally, they can assist you if obtaining further information or a police report proves challenging.
Our legal team has well-established careers and accolades for advocating for accident victims. The clients we have worked with have been awarded compensation totaling more than $500 million.
If you want to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.
What To Do After An Apple Valley Car Accident
No one can predict a car crash or collision, but you can prepare for one. Having a car accident checklist in your glove box can help you stay calm and organized after a car crash. It can tell you what to do, what not to do, and how best to protect your rights. You aren’t alone after a collision, no matter how big or small you think it may be.
Whether you are the injured victim or the family of a deceased loved one, here’s what to do after a car accident:
- Stay Calm – Stay on the scene and make sure everyone is okay. Check yourself for injuries first, and then check others. Remain calm, and try your best to regain composure.
- Get to a Safe Location – Move your vehicle or pull over to the side of the road if you can. Put your emergency flashers on to warn other motorists of the accident. This gives them a heads-up to slow down as they approach. Get somewhere safe to wait for the police.
- Call 911 – Call the police to report your accident. Unless your crash was very minor, with no injuries or property damage, you should call the cops. Police can document the incident, gather information, and make it part of an official record.
- Exchange Information – Swap names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. If possible, take photos of the vehicles, license plates, and other vital details.
- Do Not Admit Fault – This is one of the common mistakes people tend to make following any vehicular accident. Stick only to the facts of what happened when speaking with a police officer, but never admit fault or say “sorry.” Nevertheless, be as detailed as possible in your description of the collision.
- Seek Medical Attention – Go to the hospital or your primary doctor as soon as possible. Immediate medical care can help reduce the damage you suffer from injuries. Tests and scans can identify internal injuries that may not show symptoms yet.
- Report to Your Insurance Company – Most insurers have time limits for how soon you must report an accident in California. Call quickly and follow the agent’s directions for reporting your crash.
- Speak to Insurance Adjusters – As soon as the day of your accident, you may receive a phone call from the other party’s insurance company. You may speak to the claims adjuster, but do not give away any more information than is necessary. Do not record a statement or accept an insurance settlement offer until you speak to an attorney.
- Create a File – Keep accident-related documents together and organized. Your file should include a copy of the police report, medical bills, the other driver’s information, injury treatment plans, and any other documents you’ve collected regarding the incident.
- Call Our Car Accident Lawyers – When in doubt, give us a call at (888) 488-1391. We offer free consultations so you can discuss your car crash without risk or obligation. We can determine whether your case has merit, help you talk to insurance companies, and assist you in filing a personal injury claim if necessary. Our California car accident lawyers are here for you. Our team answers the questions and concerns of many victims.
Car Accident Statistics
Based on data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2021, motor vehicle accidents accounted for 21% of the total preventable injury-related deaths in the US. Approximately 19,515 deaths involving traffic crashes were recorded from January to June 2023, which is 3.3% less than the total 20,190 deaths reported in the first half of 2022.
For the first half of 2023, the NHTSA recorded 2,061 fatalities in California due to motor vehicle accidents. The state had a total of 160,819 fatal and injury crashes in the previous year.
According to data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System, 201 crashes resulted in injuries or fatalities in Apple Valley in 2023.