[10-30-2024] Merced County, CA – At Least Two Dead After Head-On Crash on I-5 Near Los Banos

At least two people have died following a head-on crash in Merced County early Wednesday morning, October 30, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred just before 1:00 a.m. on Interstate 5 near Highway 152, west of Los Banos.

Officers reported that the driver of a Honda was traveling north on I-5 when they crossed over the median and crashed head-on into a box truck. The impact caused both vehicles to catch fire.

While the identities of the deceased have not been released, officers confirmed that at least two individuals lost their lives in the incident.

The CHP is conducting an investigation into the crash.

Call Our Esteemed Car Accident Lawyers In Merced County

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in a crash. Ask one of our personal injury attorneys, under the supervision of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., for advice regarding your car accident case. Our Merced County injury law firm is here for you!

Schedule a free consultation with our esteemed Merced County 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 $750 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 A Car Accident In Merced County

No one can predict a car crash or collision, but you can prepare for one. A car accident checklist 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Call 911 – Call the authorities to report your accident as soon as possible. The police can document the incident, gather information, and make it part of an official record.
4. 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.
5. Do Not Admit Fault – This is a common mistake people 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.
6. Seek Medical Attention – Go to the hospital or your primary doctor immediately. 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.
7. 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 to report your crash.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Call Our Car Accident Lawyers – When in doubt, call us 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.

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.