A head-on car crash on Highway 140 near Merced left two people injured on Tuesday morning, November 12, 2024.
The crash occurred just after 9:00 a.m. near Arboleda Drive, east of Merced when a 16-year-old girl driving a Honda Civic lost control and collided head-on with a truck, causing the Civic to be split in two.
The teen, from Le Grand, was fortunate to survive the crash and was taken to the hospital with only minor injuries. The driver of the truck was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the collision.
Call The Experienced Merced Accident Attorneys
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a traffic accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Ask our experienced personal injury attorneys, led by the esteemed Arash Khorsandi, Esq., for legal advice regarding your possible case. Our Merced accident lawyers are here for you!
Get a free initial consultation with our respected truck accident attorneys, who will review your case, discuss the next steps, and examine all the factors that could affect your settlement amount. They can also assist you if obtaining further information or a police report proves challenging.
Our car accident lawyers have well-established careers and accolades for representing accident victims. The clients we have worked with have been awarded compensation totaling more than $500 Million.
Call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers.
What To Do After A Truck Accident In Merced, CA
After a truck accident, it is essential to remain on the scene and wait for the authorities and medical personnel to arrive. Move the vehicle off the road if possible. Then, after gathering evidence to support filing a truck accident claim, inform your insurance provider and contact our award-winning law firm.
Here is a detailed guide on what you should do after a truck-related accident:
- Move vehicles to the shoulder of the road. If possible and safe, after documenting the scene by taking pictures and videos, move your vehicle to the shoulder and turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists. If moving the vehicles is not possible or safe, follow the instructions of emergency responders.
- Contact emergency responders and immediately seek medical attention. Even if you think you were uninjured, let the emergency personnel examine you, as some injuries may appear days later. Records of medical visits, diagnosis, treatment, medications, and related expenses are valuable for building a strong case.
- Gather information from other drivers involved. Whenever possible, exchange all necessary information with the other drivers involved in the crash. This includes each party’s name, contact number, license number, plate number, insurance provider, and policy number.
- If you are able, take photos and videos of the scene. Take as many pictures and videos as possible, documenting the state of your car, the other vehicles involved, any nearby objects like skid marks and guardrails, and even conversations or interactions with other people.
- Take photos of your injuries. Taking pictures of the injuries you or others have sustained is one essential way to document the damages you have incurred.
- Obtain witness testimonies. When an accident occurs, many individuals are usually around to help out. Exchange as much information as you can with them to strengthen your case.
- Notify your insurance provider about the accident. Don’t feel obligated to provide any official or recorded statements right away. Your financial recovery could be negatively impacted if you confess fault for the accident or allow yourself to be misled into doing so.
- 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. Be as detailed as possible in your description of the collision.
- Keep a journal. Doing so will help you remember every thought and emotion you have experienced throughout the whole recovery process. Tracking how long it took you to improve after an accident is crucial evidence for any personal injury claim.
- Contact the skilled California truck accident lawyers at Arash Law. Our lawyers go beyond finding simple and quick settlements. They identify all liable parties to get you the most money back. Furthermore, our team answers the questions and concerns of many victims.
If you’re having trouble securing the accident report from the authorities or an insurer keeps on calling you about the accident, our California truck accident lawyers can assist you in communicating with them.
Truck Accidents Statistics
According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, in 2022, a total of 4,764 people lost their lives in crashes involving large trucks. Of these fatalities, 17% were truck occupants, 66% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 16% were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
The number of deaths in large truck crashes increased by 51% compared to 2009, which had the lowest fatality count since data collection began in 1975. Additionally, the number of truck occupants who died in 2022 was 83% higher than in 2009.