Rollover Accident on I-5 Northbound Kills 1

May 19, 2016

Ellis Law Corporation

News

The I-5 Northbound was the scene of yet another tragic collision this past Sunday that claimed at least one life and left five others with serious injuries. According to police, a three vehicle traffic collision near Gorman occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. on May 15. Supervising Fire Dispatcher Cheryl Sims told media outlets that the accident, which happened in Lebec, close to Frazier Park, included a Chevy truck, a van and a motorcycle. 

Initial reports from law enforcement indicate that the motorcyclist was thrown from his bike after he was hit by the van. After arriving on the scene, a rescue team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Kern County worked together to free one person who was trapped beneath a vehicle.

One victim was airlifted to the hospital and the other five were transported by ambulance for medical treatment.

Rollover crash in Lebec involves 3 vehicles

Relatives of the accident victims have started a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising money for their mounting hospital expenses and long road to recovery. They posted that one of their family members was placed in Intensive Care for a fractured neck, vertebrae and a broken arm. They say he will likely need multiple surgeries to recover.  Another victim who was also hospitalized suffered several broken ribs and a broken sternum; she is also scheduled for surgery.

According to the GoFundMe page, the family was returning from Los Angeles, where they had gone to visit relatives. One of the passengers reportedly died at the scene of the accident.

Other details about the crash have yet to be released, as police continue to investigate.

Multiple vehicle collisions pose greater injury risk

Nearly 6 million car accidents happen every year, according to data from the Data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of these, an estimated 30 percent involve multi-vehicle pile-ups, which tend to be more common on busy freeways.

All it takes is one negligent or distracted driver to set off a deadly chain reaction that often results in catastrophic injuries or death.

Some of the most common causes of multi-vehicle accidents include:

  • Drowsy driving
  • Excess speed
  • Aggressive driving
  • Cell phone use or other distractions
  • Driver impairment from alcohol or drugs
  • Inclement weather

Unfortunately, most at-fault drivers aren’t willing to admit mistakes or take responsibility for an accident, which is why thorough investigations are necessary to determine which party or parties are liable. 

If investigations reveal that negligent driving was an underlying factor, victims and their family members may have cause for litigation. Compensation recovered in a car accident lawsuit will vary greatly depending on the types of injuries suffered, and the financial losses anticipated during recovery. Plaintiffs usually sue for past and future medical bills, lost income, emotional trauma, burial expenses in the event of a wrongful death, and other reparations with the help of personal injury attorney.

Los Angeles personal injury attorneys

If you or a loved one have been involved in a traffic collision, it’s important to protect your rights to fair compensation. To speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer Los Angeles trusts, call Ellis Law today. Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers provide free case evaluations and can quickly assess whether you’re entitled to monetary damages. Call us toll-free at 310-641-3335.