[07-12-2023] Santa Barbara County, CA – 1 Man Killed, 1 Woman Injured Following Two-Vehicle Collision on Highway 101

A man was killed, while a woman was injured after a two-vehicle collision on Highway 101 in Buellton on Wednesday afternoon, July 12, 2023.

According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the incident occurred on Highway 101, south of Jonata Park Road, at around 3:46 p.m.

The collision involved a silver van and a white Toyota pickup truck. It remains unclear what caused it. A man drove the van while a male driver and a female passenger occupied the pickup truck. The woman was trapped, and the firefighters took 15 minutes to extricate her.

The solo driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman was taken to Cottage Hospital with moderate injuries. The pickup truck driver reportedly declined treatment.

No information was released regarding the people’s identities, pending an investigation.

Respected Car Accident Lawyers in Santa Barbara County

Families of victims who have lost loved ones due to a careless driver may seek compensation. A personal injury lawyer should investigate whether a car accident results in an unintended injury or death.

Our legal team will evaluate your case, review the next steps, and discuss anything that might affect your settlement in a free consultation.

Our reliable Santa Barbara County car accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have the recognition and vast experience to advocate for accident victims, with awarded compensation totaling $750 Million.

Contact (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

Car crashes can happen anywhere and at any time. Because of this, we need to be prepared at all times. Those involved in car accidents know how important it is to be prepared. Whether you are the injured or the family of the killed victim, it is essential to realize that your words and actions starting at the accident site can substantially affect the outcome of your claim or lawsuit. Consider the following recommendations to maximize the value of your injury claim:

• Remain calm and remain at the scene to ensure safety. You should check yourself for injuries before helping others.
• Stay in a safe location until the authorities arrive. 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. Consult 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

Fatal Two-Vehicle Accident Statistics

Automobile accidents are the most common cause of accidental deaths and injuries in the US. Approximately two million people die, and ten million are injured yearly in automobile accidents.

According to the National Safety Council, traffic fatalities nationwide increased by 8.3% in 2020. In 2021, 46,980 motor vehicle deaths were reported.

There were 39,107 car accidents in the United States in 2019. By 2020, that number had risen to 42,338.

In 2020, there were 3,847 fatal car accidents in California. One-vehicle accidents killed approximately 2,260 people, or 59% of the total. There were 1,587 fatalities (41%) involving two or more cars.

Most collisions involved two vehicles (72% of all collisions, 71% of injury collisions, and 77% of all injuries). There were roughly 8,000 severe and fatal injuries caused by angle collisions in 2020.