A Tuesday morning drive on Highway 113 in Woodland turned fatal on April 28, 2026, when a Toyota carrying two people rolled off the freeway and came to rest upside down against a tree. The driver was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene; the passenger survived with injuries. A single-vehicle crash like this one can leave families with urgent questions about what happened, who may be responsible, and what steps to take next.
What Happened in the Single-Vehicle Crash
On the morning of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, a single-vehicle collision resulted in the death of a driver and the injury of a passenger on northbound Highway 113 near East Main Street in Woodland. The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 9:25 AM.
The crash happened after the Toyota, which had two people in it, attempted to pass another driver by driving in the center median. The driver lost control, and the vehicle overturned, coming to rest on a steep embankment adjacent to the right shoulder of the southbound lanes.
Officials say the driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected, while the passenger, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered minor injuries. The driver died as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.
Investigators had not determined at the time of reporting whether drugs or alcohol were contributing factors. The identity of the deceased had not been released. Highway 113 was temporarily closed while crews investigated and cleared the scene, then reopened to traffic. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Role of Seatbelts in Crash Survivability
This collision provides a stark illustration of how seatbelts affect crash outcomes. The passenger, who was buckled in, sustained only minor injuries even as the vehicle rolled and struck a tree. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and did not survive.
Under California Vehicle Code §27315, all occupants of a motor vehicle are required to wear a seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion. Ejection from a vehicle dramatically increases the risk of fatal injury, and this crash tragically reflects that reality.
Families who have lost a loved one in a crash where seatbelt use was a factor sometimes wonder whether that affects their legal options. The answer depends on the specific circumstances.
California’s pure comparative negligence rule, established under Civil Code §1714, means that fault can be shared among multiple parties, and compensation is reduced in proportion to each party’s share of responsibility. Even if the deceased was found partially at fault, the surviving family members may still pursue a wrongful death claim.
Could Others Share Responsibility in a Single-Vehicle Crash?
When a collision involves only one vehicle, people sometimes assume there is no one else to hold accountable. That is not always the case under California law. A thorough investigation may reveal that the actions of another driver, a defective road condition, or inadequate signage contributed to the crash.
In this collision, the Toyota driver reportedly attempted to pass another vehicle using the center median. If that other vehicle’s actions — such as blocking a lane, traveling erratically, or failing to yield — contributed to the maneuver that preceded the crash, that driver’s conduct could potentially become relevant to a liability analysis.
Similarly, if the road design, signage, or median conditions along Highway 113 near East Main Street played a role, government entities responsible for roadway maintenance could potentially bear some responsibility under Government Code §835.
Families who lost a loved one in this crash may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60. Damages in a wrongful death action can include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral and burial costs, and related expenses.
Survivors who were injured may also be entitled to pursue their own personal injury claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering under CCP §335.1, which sets a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident.
What Families Should Do After a Fatal Crash
The aftermath of a sudden, violent loss is overwhelming. While no legal process can undo what happened on Highway 113 that morning, taking the right steps early can preserve your family’s options.
First, request a copy of the CHP incident report once it becomes available. This document will contain the investigating officer’s findings, including contributing factors and witness information. Second, avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney.
Insurers may attempt to resolve claims quickly and for less than families are entitled to receive. Third, consult a California personal injury attorney as early as possible. Evidence can be lost, witnesses’ memories fade, and some claims have strict filing deadlines.
It is also worth documenting everything you can in the days following the crash. If you were a passenger or a family member who visited the scene, write down what you remember while it is still fresh. Preserve any photographs, dashcam footage, or communications related to the accident.
If other drivers or bystanders witnessed the collision, their accounts may prove important later. Gathering and safeguarding this information early can make a meaningful difference in the strength of any legal claim your family pursues.
Calculating the Value of a Wrongful Death Claim
One of the most difficult conversations after a fatal crash involves the financial value of a life. California law allows families to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Understanding how these are calculated can help survivors make informed decisions.
The multiplier method is one common approach. An attorney totals the economic damages, including future lost income, household services, and related costs, and applies a multiplier based on the severity of the loss and the impact on surviving family members. For a breadwinner or a parent with young children, this figure can be substantial.
The per diem method calculates non-economic damages, such as the loss of love, companionship, and guidance, by assigning a daily dollar value to the loss and multiplying it by the number of years the family would reasonably have expected to have with their loved one. When combined with economic damages, the total can reflect the true depth of what a family has lost.
An experienced wrongful death attorney will evaluate both methods, as well as other approaches appropriate to the specific facts of your case, to build the strongest possible case for compensation.
Understanding Catastrophic Injury Settlement Calculators
When a crash results in death or life-altering injury, one of the most pressing questions families face is how much their claim may be worth. Catastrophic injury settlement calculators are tools designed to help survivors and their families develop an initial estimate of potential compensation by factoring in key variables such as medical expenses, lost income, long-term care costs, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and loss of companionship.
These calculators work by combining documented financial losses, sometimes called special damages, with an estimated value for the human toll of the injury or death, often calculated using either the multiplier method or the per diem method. While no online tool can replace the analysis of an experienced personal injury attorney, a settlement calculator can help families understand the range of compensation they may be entitled to pursue and begin framing conversations with legal counsel.
In catastrophic cases involving permanent disability, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or wrongful death, the figures involved can be substantial, and even small differences in how damages are calculated can translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation. An attorney with experience in high-stakes California personal injury claims will use these frameworks as a starting point while building a case tailored to the specific facts, losses, and long-term needs of your family. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Taking the First Step Toward Justice
“Losing someone in a crash this sudden and violent is a pain no family should have to face alone. When the dust settles, and the questions begin, know that you have rights under California law and that pursuing them is not about money; it is about accountability and making sure your family is not left to bear the financial weight of someone else’s negligence. My team and I have spent over 40 years standing beside families in exactly this situation, and we are here to do the same for you. Please do not wait to reach out. The sooner we can review what happened, the better positioned we are to protect your options and fight for everything you deserve.” — Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If your family was affected by the April 28, 2026, crash on Highway 113 near East Main Street in Woodland, you should not have to navigate the legal process alone or worry about how to afford experienced representation. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case.
There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no financial risk to your family. With over $950 million recovered for injured clients and their families across California and more than 40 years of experience handling serious injury and wrongful death claims, we have the resources and commitment to take on even the most complex cases. Call us today at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Sacramento office for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing.
Local Resources for Those Affected by the Woodland Crash
The following agencies and facilities can provide assistance to those involved in or affected by this collision:
California Highway Patrol, Woodland Area 1975 Wintun Drive, Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 662-4685 www.chp.ca.gov The Woodland CHP office is the lead investigating agency for this crash. Contact them for crash report information, case status updates, and general highway safety inquiries. The Woodland Area is responsible for patrolling Highway 113 and other major routes throughout Yolo County.
Woodland Memorial Hospital (Dignity Health) 1325 Cottonwood Street, Woodland, CA 95695 (530) 662-3961 www.dignityhealth.org The nearest full-service hospital to the crash site, Woodland Memorial Hospital, provides emergency care, trauma services, and a range of specialty medical services. The passenger injured in this crash would likely have been evaluated here or by responding emergency personnel.
Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Coroner Section 140 Tony Diaz Drive, Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 668-5292 www.yolocountysheriff.com The Yolo County Coroner’s Section investigates all sudden, violent, and unusual deaths in the county. The office is responsible for identifying the deceased, determining cause and manner of death, notifying next of kin, and issuing the death certificate. The Coroner’s line is available 24 hours a day.
Yolo County Health and Human Services 137 N. Cottonwood Street, Woodland, CA 95695 (530) 666-8057 www.yolocounty.gov Yolo County Health and Human Services provides mental health support, crisis counseling, and social services to county residents. Families dealing with sudden loss after a traumatic event may benefit from grief counseling and other support services available through this office.
