[10-19-2024] Monterey County, CA – 1 Dead, 1 Hospitalized in Multi-Vehicle Crash along Highway 101’s Southbound Lane

A man was killed and his passenger was hospitalized following a crash involving five vehicles along Highway 101’s southbound lane in Monterey County on Saturday morning, October 19, 2024.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident, which happened at around 11:45 a.m.

According to CHP, a 16-year-old male from Salinas was driving a 2021 Chevrolet 2500 while towing a trailer when he struck a Chevrolet Colorado ahead of him. The impact caused Colorado to lose control and rollover.

The driver of the Colorado, a 49-year-old man from Salinas, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his passenger was transported to Natividad Medical Center for treatment of injuries.

The initial crash further caused a chain reaction,  resulting in additional crashes involving three more vehicles. Fortunately, the driver and passenger of a white Honda Accord, the driver of the white Chevrolet 2500, and the driver and passenger of a maroon Toyota Sienna all reported no injuries.

CHP says alcohol is not a suspected factor in the crash, all drivers involved were licensed, and any pending charges are still under investigation.

Further information on the individuals involved will come from Monterey County’s Sheriff’s Office.

Call Skilled Car Accident Lawyers In Monterey County

You might be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident. For advice on your car accident case, speak with one of our personal injury lawyers, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. Arash Law is prepared to help!

Our skilled Monterey County car accident lawyers will assess your case, go over the next course of action, and take into account every element that may influence the amount of your compensation. If necessary, they can also assist you in obtaining a police report or other information.

With clients receiving over $750 million in compensation, our legal team has a solid reputation for standing up for accident victims.

Contact one of our personal injury lawyers by phone at (888) 488-1391 or by filling out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What To Do In Monterey County Following A Car Accident

Although being in a car accident can be an overwhelming experience, knowing what to do next can help safeguard your rights and well-being. This step-by-step guide can help you deal with the situation, whether it’s a minor collision or a more serious one.

1. Remain Calm: Continue to monitor the situation and ensure that everyone is safe. Check yourself for injuries, then check other people involved in the accident. Remain composed and avoid taking responsibility.
2. Get to a Safe Place: If possible, move disabled cars to the side of the road. Turn on your emergency flashers to improve visibility and reduce the risk of further collisions while you wait for the cops.
3. Call 911: You should notify the police unless your collision was minor and there were no injuries or significant damage to property. The police have the authority to record the event, collect data, and include it in an official file.
4. Gather Information: Exchange insurance details, phone numbers, and names with the other driver or drivers involved in the collision. Take pictures of the cars, license plates, and any important information if you can.
5. Seek Medical Attention: As soon as you can, visit your primary care physician or the hospital. Getting medical attention right away helps speed up recovery, detect unseen internal injuries, and reduce the risk of long-term effects caused by delaying treatment.
6. Inform Your Insurance Company: In California, the majority of insurers set deadlines for when you must notify them of an accident. Call your insurance company ASAP and report your crash by following the agent’s instructions.
7. Talk to Insurance Adjusters: The other party’s insurance provider may contact you as soon as the day of your accident. You can talk to the claims adjuster but don’t divulge any more details than necessary. Consult a lawyer before recording a statement or accepting an offer of an insurance payout.
8. Document Everything: Organize and group documents related to the accident. A copy of the police report, medical bills, the other driver’s details, injury treatment plans, and any other documentation you’ve gathered about the accident should all be in your file.
9. Give us a Call: If you’re unsure, call us at (888) 488-1391. We provide risk-free and obligation-free consultations so you can talk about your vehicle accident. We can assess the strength of your case, aid you in contacting insurance providers, and—if necessary—help you submit a personal injury claim. Our California car accident lawyers are available to assist you.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Car Accident Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, in 2022, motor-vehicle-related deaths were most often caused by collisions between vehicles, but these crashes accounted for less than half (43%) of total fatalities. The second leading cause was crashes involving fixed objects, responsible for over 26% of deaths. Other significant causes included pedestrian incidents and non-collision events like rollovers.

While vehicle-to-vehicle collisions caused less than half of all fatalities, they contributed to the majority of injuries, accounting for 78% of all injuries, 71% of injury-related crashes, and 71% of all motor-vehicle incidents.

In contrast, single-vehicle crashes—such as collisions with fixed objects, pedestrian accidents, and rollovers—resulted in a higher proportion of fatalities and fatal crashes. These types of incidents made up 54% of deaths and 56% of fatal crashes but only 25% or less of total injuries, injury-related crashes, and overall incidents.

Among vehicle collisions, angle crashes were the deadliest, causing approximately 8,800 deaths in 2022.