[08-26-2023] Merced County, CA – 26-Year-Old Man & 8-Year-Old Girl Killed Following Two-Vehicle Collision in Atwater

A 26-year-old Stockton man and an 8-year-old girl were killed after a two-vehicle collision in Atwater on Saturday morning, August 26, 2023.

According to the Atwater Police Department, the incident occurred in the area of Buhach Road and Green Sands Avenue at around 12:00 a.m.

Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found a white and a silver sedan. Officials said Joshua Hitto, a 26-year-old Stockton resident, and an 8-year-old girl, both passengers in one of the vehicles, were pronounced dead at the scene.

It is unclear whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.  An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.

Dedicated Car Accident Lawyers in Atwater, CA

The law demands compensation for those who have lost loved ones or suffered serious injuries due to another driver’s negligence. In the event of a car accident, you should consult our personal injury lawyers.

You will receive a free consultation from our seasoned legal team, where we will review your case, explain the next steps, and discuss any factors affecting the outcome of your settlement agreement.

Our relentless Merced County car accident lawyers at Arash Law, spearheaded by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have the recognition and vast experience to advocate for accident victims, with awarded compensation totaling more than $500 Million. We’re known as one of California’s most prominent personal injury law firms.

Contact us at (888) 488-1391 or complete the “Do I Have a Case?” form on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Regardless of whether you are the plaintiff in a lawsuit or a family member of a deceased victim, what you say and do at the accident scene will significantly influence how your case turns out. If you want your injury claim to succeed, you should:

• Stay calm and remain at the scene to ensure safety. You should check yourself for injuries before helping others.
• Get to a safe location and wait for the authorities. Pull over any vehicles that cannot move to the side of the road. To prevent further collisions, activate your hazard lights.
• Call 911 to report your collision. Call the police unless the collision was minimal, no one was hurt, and no property was damaged. The police can investigate by speaking with prospective witnesses and gathering evidence.
• Exchange information with all parties involved. Document everything, from your injuries to the weather, road conditions, and the vehicle that hit you.
• Do not admit fault to the police. Give the police officer an honest account of events.
• Seek medical attention. See a specialist or your primary care physician as soon as possible. Receiving immediate medical care can lessen the severity of injuries.
• Report it to your insurance company. Insurance companies in California have different deadlines for reporting accidents.
• Contact insurance adjusters. You can talk to a claims adjuster but only share the necessary information with them. You should consult a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer or providing a recorded statement to an insurance company.
• Create a file. Gather and file all paperwork related to the incident, such as the police report, medical bills, details about the other driver, and plans for treating any injuries, in a case file.
• Seek immediate legal counsel from an experienced California car accident lawyer.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Two-Vehicle Accident Statistics

Car accidents are the leading cause of death and injury in the United States. Approximately ten million injuries and two million deaths are caused by automobile accidents each year.

According to the National Safety Council, traffic fatalities increased by 8.3% in 2020. Approximately 46,980 people were killed in vehicle accidents in 2021. In 2019, 39,107 Americans died in automobile accidents. The number was 42,338 in 2020.

California had 3,847 traffic deaths in 2020. One-car accidents caused 59% of all fatalities. Approximately 1,600 fatalities were caused by multiple-vehicle collisions (41%). Approximately 8,000 people died or were injured in angle collisions in 2020.