[05-10-2024] San Diego County, CA – Four People Killed, One Injured Following Fiery Two-Vehicle Head-On Crash Along SR-76 Near Fallbrook

Four people were killed, while one was injured following a fiery two-vehicle head-on crash near Fallbrook, San Diego County, late Friday night, May 10, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal incident occurred at around 11:18 p.m. along State Route 76, about a mile east of Interstate 15.

CHP officers said that a still-unidentified driver was traveling eastbound on SR-76 on a silver Chrysler 300 just east of Horse Ranch Creek Road. Simultaneously, a 58-year-old man was driving a white Jeep Gladiator going west on the same roadway with a silver Toyota Camry driven by a 56-year-old man directly behind him.

Initial investigation suggested that the driver of the Chrysler, for some reason, veered to the left and onto oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with the Jeep. The Toyota behind it, meanwhile, was slightly side-swiped as a result of the initial crash. Both the Chrysler and the Jeep then caught fire, adding further hazard to the scene.

CHP confirmed that the collision resulted in four fatalities. The drivers of the vehicles directly involved in the head-on crash both died from their injuries, along with two adult passengers inside the Jeep.

A third passenger in the Jeep survived and was taken to Palomar Hospital in Escondido with serious injuries. There is no word yet about the current condition of the sole survivor of the collision.

It is unclear if the Toyota driver who was minorly involved was injured.

Additional information was not immediately available, and the authorities are still gathering all the necessary details to determine the factors leading up to the deadly incident.

Get In Touch With Our Reliable Car Accident Lawyers In Fallbrook, San Diego County

If another driver’s negligence injured you or a loved one, you may be able to sue for damages. Ask one of our personal injury attorneys, under the supervision of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., for advice regarding your car accident case. Our San Diego County injury law firm is here for you!

Get a free initial consultation with our reliable San Diego 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.

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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 San Diego County Car Accident

No one can predict a car crash or collision, but you can prepare for one. Having a car accident checklist in your glove box 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 severe collision.

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 police to report your accident. 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 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, 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 as soon as possible. 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 for reporting 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, give us a call 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

Based on data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2021, motor vehicle accidents accounted for 21% of the total preventable injury-related deaths in the US. Approximately 19,515 deaths involving traffic crashes were recorded from January to June 2023, which is 3.3% less than the total 20,190 deaths reported in the first half of 2022.

For the first half of 2023, the NHTSA recorded 2,061 fatalities in California due to motor vehicle accidents. The state had a total of 160,819 fatal and injury crashes in the previous year.

In San Diego County, 13,360 crashes either resulted in injuries or fatalities, according to data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System in 2023.