A fatal single-vehicle crash on Highway 113 near Woodland claimed the life of a driver on Wednesday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision occurred just north of County Road 25A, where a silver Ford veered off the southbound lanes and struck a tree with enough force to leave the driver unconscious at the scene.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but the driver could not be saved. The Yolo County Coroner’s Office will release the victim’s identity once family members have been notified. This tragic loss is a sobering reminder of how quickly a roadway departure can turn deadly — and why understanding your legal rights after such a tragedy matters.
What Happened on Highway 113 in Woodland
The crash was reported at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday on Highway 113, just north of County Road 25A in Woodland. A silver Ford vehicle was traveling southbound on Highway 113 when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered onto the right shoulder and collided with a tree. CHP dispatch logs indicate that the driver was found unconscious at the scene.
Fire crews responded promptly, but despite their efforts, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The Yolo County Coroner’s Office will officially identify the driver by name and age following notification of the family. As of Wednesday, CHP investigators had not determined whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the fatal crash.
Highway 113 is a two-lane state highway running through Yolo County, connecting Woodland to the communities of Knights Landing and Dunnigan to the north. The stretch of roadway near County Road 25A passes through open agricultural land, where high speeds, limited roadside barriers, and the absence of center medians can amplify the consequences of even a brief loss of vehicle control.
The rural character of this corridor means that emergency response times may be longer than in urban areas, and that roadway departure collisions — particularly those involving fixed objects like trees — frequently prove fatal before help can arrive.
Roadway Departure Crashes: A Leading Cause of Fatal Accidents in California
Single-vehicle roadway departure crashes — those in which a vehicle leaves the travel lane and strikes a fixed object such as a tree, guardrail, or embankment — are among the most deadly accident types on California highways. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, roadway departures account for a disproportionate share of fatal crashes statewide, particularly on rural two-lane highways like Highway 113.
Contributing factors in these crashes often include:
- Driver impairment from alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or prescription medication
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use or in-vehicle distractions
- Medical emergencies, such as a sudden loss of consciousness or a cardiac event
- Mechanical failure, including tire blowouts or brake failure
- Road design or maintenance issues, such as inadequate shoulders, poor signage, or debris on the roadway
Until the CHP completes its investigation, the precise cause of this crash remains unknown. The agency noted that it has not yet determined whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
Rural highways like Highway 113 present a particularly unforgiving environment when a driver loses control. Unlike urban roads lined with curbs, barriers, and wide shoulders, rural two-lane highways often place fixed objects — trees, utility poles, irrigation ditches, and concrete culverts — just feet from the edge of the travel lane.
When a vehicle departs the roadway at highway speeds, the margin for recovery is razor-thin. California’s Vision Zero initiative and ongoing efforts by Caltrans to improve roadside safety on rural corridors reflect a growing recognition that roadway departures are not solely the result of driver error, but are also shaped by road design, maintenance standards, and the placement of roadside hazards that could be mitigated through better infrastructure.
Liability and Legal Considerations in Single-Vehicle Fatal Crashes
While single-vehicle crashes may appear straightforward, the legal picture is often more complex. In California, multiple parties can bear liability depending on the circumstances:
The Driver’s Estate: If the driver was impaired, distracted, or otherwise negligent, their estate may face civil liability under California Civil Code §1714, which establishes the duty of care every person owes to others on the road.
Vehicle Manufacturer: If a mechanical defect — such as a tire failure, steering malfunction, or brake issue — contributed to the vehicle leaving the roadway, the vehicle or component manufacturer may be held liable under California’s strict products liability doctrine.
Government Entities: If a dangerous road condition, such as a crumbling shoulder, missing guardrail, or inadequate signage, was a contributing factor, a public entity such as Caltrans or Yolo County may bear liability under California Government Code §835, which holds public entities accountable for dangerous conditions on public property.
Third-Party Drivers: If another vehicle forced the Ford off the road — whether through aggressive driving, a sideswipe, or a near-miss — that driver could face liability even if they did not make direct contact.
A thorough investigation by law enforcement and an independent legal team is often necessary to identify all contributing factors and responsible parties.
Wrongful Death Claims for Families in Yolo County
When a loved one is killed in a traffic accident, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60. Eligible claimants typically include spouses or domestic partners, children, and other individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased.
A successful wrongful death claim can recover damages for:
- Loss of financial support and future earnings
- Loss of companionship, comfort, and emotional support
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses incurred prior to death
Additionally, under CCP §377.30, a survival action may be brought by the estate of the deceased to recover damages the victim would have been entitled to had they survived — including pre-death pain and suffering. Families typically have two years from the date of death to file under California’s statute of limitations, CCP §335.1, though claims against government entities require a government tort claim to be filed within six months.
Losing a family member in a sudden and violent crash is a devastating experience, and the weeks that follow are often filled with grief, confusion, and financial uncertainty. Many families in Yolo County are unsure where to turn or whether they even have a viable legal claim — particularly when the crash involves only one vehicle, and the cause has not yet been determined.
It is important to understand that wrongful death claims in California do not require proof of another driver’s fault. If an investigation reveals that a defective vehicle component, a hazardous road condition, or a third party’s negligence contributed to the crash, surviving family members may have a strong basis for legal action.
Consulting with an experienced California wrongful death attorney as early as possible helps preserve critical evidence, meet filing deadlines, and ensure that every potentially liable party is identified before the statute of limitations expires.
Settlement Value in Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Cases
The settlement value of a wrongful death or survival action arising from a fatal highway crash depends on a range of factors that experienced personal injury attorneys carefully evaluate.
Economic damages include the deceased’s projected lifetime earnings, benefits, and household contributions. For a working-age adult, these figures can be substantial, particularly when calculated using expert economic analysis.
Non-economic damages — including the family’s loss of love, companionship, and emotional support — are calculated using one of two accepted methodologies in California:
- The multiplier method: Total economic damages are multiplied by a factor (typically 1.5x to 5x) reflecting the severity of the loss, the circumstances of the death, and the strength of the family relationships involved.
- The per diem method: A daily dollar value is assigned to the family’s suffering and multiplied by a reasonable life expectancy to arrive at a total non-economic damages figure.
In catastrophic and wrongful death cases stemming from highway accidents, California juries have returned verdicts — and insurers have settled claims — in the range of hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the specifics of each case. An experienced wrongful death attorney can conduct a thorough liability and damages analysis to help surviving family members understand the full value of their potential claim.
Understanding Fatal Car Accident Settlement Calculators
When a family loses a loved one in a fatal highway crash, one of the most pressing and painful questions they face is what their legal claim may be worth. A fatal car accident settlement calculator is an online tool designed to help surviving family members estimate the potential value of a wrongful death or survival action claim by entering key variables such as the deceased’s age, annual income, life expectancy, number of dependents, and the nature of the family relationships involved.
These calculators draw on the same foundational principles that attorneys and courts apply in California wrongful death cases — including projections of lost future earnings, household contributions, and non-economic losses such as the loss of love, companionship, and guidance. While no online tool can replace the judgment of an experienced wrongful death attorney or predict the outcome of litigation, a settlement calculator serves as a valuable starting point for families trying to understand the financial dimensions of their loss and make informed decisions about whether and how to pursue a legal claim.
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we work with economic experts, life care planners, and accident reconstruction specialists to build a comprehensive damages analysis tailored to each family’s unique circumstances — going far beyond any automated estimate to ensure that every element of recoverable compensation is fully accounted for. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Take Action Today – Get the Help You Deserve
“To the family affected by this tragedy on Highway 113, I want you to know that our hearts go out to you during what is an unimaginably difficult time. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we understand that no legal outcome can replace the person you have lost — but you deserve answers, accountability, and the full measure of justice California law provides. If you have questions about your rights, our team is here to help you navigate this process with compassion and experience, at no cost to you unless we win.” — Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you lost a loved one in a traffic accident in Woodland, Yolo County, or anywhere in California, the legal team at GJEL Accident Attorneys is ready to help. With more than 40 years of experience and over $950 million recovered for injured Californians and grieving families, we have the resources and dedication to fight for the justice your family deserves. We handle all wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
At GJEL, we ensure that all evidence is properly preserved and that all potential sources of compensation are thoroughly investigated, allowing families to focus on healing. Talk to an experienced GJEL accident attorney for a free legal consultation. Contact us at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Concord office to secure your future and compensation.
Local Resources for Families in the Woodland and Yolo County Area
California Highway Patrol – Woodland Area Office 1207 N. East St., Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 662-4585 www.chp.ca.gov The investigating agency for this crash; families can request traffic collision reports online or in person.
Yolo County Coroner’s Office 140 Tony Diaz Dr., Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 668-5250 www.yolocounty.org Responsible for identifying the deceased and notifying next of kin; official death certificates are obtained through this office.
Yolo County Sheriff’s Office 140 Tony Diaz Dr., Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 666-8282 www.yolosheriff.com Provides support services and can assist families in accessing records.
Woodland Memorial Hospital 1325 Cottonwood St., Woodland, CA 95695 (530) 662-3961 www.dignityhealth.org/woodland The nearest full-service hospital to the crash site; trauma and emergency services available.
Yolo Crisis Nursery / Yolo County Victim Services (530) 661-1935 www.yolocounty.org/victim-services Offers grief counseling referrals and victim support services for families of those killed in accidents.
