One person was killed, and another suffered major injuries following a two-vehicle head-on crash in Taft on Wednesday morning, April 31, 2023.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the two-car collision between a white pickup and another vehicle occurred just before 5:30 a.m. on Highway 119 and Tupman Road.
Authorities reported that one of the vehicles was momentarily engulfed in flames, prompting the CHP to close all lanes of traffic. Highway 119 is closed between Tupman Road and State Route 43, just west of State Route 43, as officials investigate the scene.
There were no more details revealed about the crash or the victims, and it is unknown whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the collision.
The investigation into the crash continues. Anyone with information is advised to contact the police immediately.
Dedicated Car Accident Lawyers in Taft, Kern County
Victims’ families may sue negligent drivers in car accidents. In California, you must promptly contact an attorney if you or a loved one were injured or killed in an accident that was not your fault.
Most insurance companies aim to pay you as little as is feasible. Accepting an insurance company’s settlement offer exposes you to the risk of unjust compensation.
We have the expertise of Kern County car accident attorneys to assist you throughout the lengthy insurance adjuster negotiation process. In addition, our lawyers will prove the insured driver’s negligence. You can trust our firm throughout the process.
The practice of personal injury law has been the focus of our attorneys’ careers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. We are one of California’s top accident law firms. We offer free consultations. Call (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form to learn how we can help.
What To Do After A Two-Vehicle Collision
You cannot foresee automobile collisions, but you can prepare for them. This checklist will help you determine what to do and avoid following a car accident and how to protect your legal rights. You are not alone following a tragic event. Here are the required actions.
- Ensure that you are not injured before inquiring about others’ health. Ensure that everyone remains at the scene.
- When possible, disabled vehicles must be relocated to the verge. Stay in a secure location while law enforcement arrives. Turn on your emergency flashers to avoid accidents.
- Notify authorities if a collision occurs. The authorities will compile an official report based on the accident data collected.
- After a collision, obtaining the other driver’s name, phone number, and insurance information is essential. Take photographs of vehicles, license plates, and other pertinent information.
- Never apologize, even to law enforcement. When conversing with a police officer, stick to the facts.
- You should seek emergency medical care at a hospital or through your family doctor.
- California has deadlines for insurance companies to report accidents. Ensure that you promptly report the accident and follow the agent’s instructions.
- Give a claims adjuster only the essential information.
- Organize accident documents. Include a copy of the police report, medical bills, the other driver’s identification, and injury treatment plans in your case file.
Fatal Two-Vehicle Collision Statistics
According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 38,824 people were killed, and 35,775 were injured in fatal vehicle collisions in 2020. There were 1.34 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled and 11.7% deaths per 100,000 people.
Auto collisions account for nearly half of California’s 10,000 unintentional traffic fatalities. In 2017, 4,857,866 automobile accidents resulted in 3,889,988 deaths and 276,823 injuries.
Driving with caution, obeying traffic laws, and maintaining a safe following distance are essential. Despite these safety measures, fatal automobile accidents continue to rise.