[07-11-2020] Merced County, CA – Two People Killed After a Fatal Semi-Truck Accident in Los Banos

A 63-year-old man identified as Joseph Haddad and his female passenger identified as Brenda Haddad were killed after a fatal tractor-trailer accident in Los Banos on Saturday afternoon, July 11.

According to the initial reports from the Los Banos CHP, the accident occurred at around 4:30 p.m. The Haddeds were heading northbound on I-5 in their Chevrolet Malibu when traffic slowed, and they eventually stopped near John Erreca Rest Area. A semi-truck then failed to stop and hit their Chevrolet from behind. The Chevy rolled into another vehicle, which caused a chain-reaction crash with other cars. The motorists that were affected and sustained injuries were taken to a nearby hospital to receive treatment.

Unfortunately, the driver and the passenger of the Chevrolet Malibu were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck has not been identified as of the moment.

Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash Investigation is Underway

Local authorities are now attempting to determine the cause and the circumstances that led to the accident through the official investigation. Tractor-trailer accidents are more deadly compared to other types of road accidents. It’s mainly because of the considerable size difference of big rig trucks compared to other vehicles. A fully loaded big rig needs as much as 20 to 40 percent more stopping distance.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), big rig trucks have increased by 30 percent since 2009. There were 4,102 traffic fatalities involving a big rig in 2017 alone. Tractor-trailer accidents are caused by various factors like loss of control of the truck, a tire blowout, a disabling or non-disabling vehicle failure, excessive speed, lane drifting, improper truck maneuvering, and driver fatigue.

When facing tractor-trailer crash cases like this, it’s essential to have an experienced Merced County wrongful death attorney specializing in tractor-trailer accidents to conduct an independent investigation. During the independent investigation, all possible contributing factors such as road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting will be considered and thoroughly examined by the wrongful death attorney.

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT

Merced Wrongful Death Attorney for Victims of Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents

It can be quite overwhelming and stressful to deal with a loved one’s sudden loss due to a fatal semi-truck accident. Pending the official investigation results, the victim’s family is entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim with their attorney’s help.

Through the wrongful death claim, the victim’s family can seek compensation for the damages (such as loss of companionship and income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress) that the accident has caused them. A wrongful death attorney can serve as a helpful legal guide for the grieving family during this difficult time while ensuring that the guilty party will be held accountable for their alleged crime.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a big rig accident, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyer. The dedicated legal team at Arash Law in California has the experience, knowledge, and commitment to guide your claim toward its most beneficial outcome skillfully.

We’re standing by to help – 24 hours a day and seven days a week – so please give us a call at (888) 488-1391 today. Our offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Riverside, Woodland Hills, Orange County. They are more than happy to travel to your home, office, or place of recovery.