$420,000 Awarded To Surviving Husband And Children For Mother’s Death In A Nine-Vehicle Pile-Up With Several Fatalities In Monterey County
About the Case
The deceased wife and mother was a passenger in a VW New Beetle traveling northbound on US Hwy 101 in Monterey County north of King City. Her brother was driving and the other two passengers were her cousins. They, along with many other members of the extended family, were returning to their homes in Napa from a funeral service for a relative, when a southbound Ford Explorer veered across the median and collided head-on with the VW. The initial collision caused a chain reaction of subsequent collisions involving nine vehicles.
The driver and one of the passengers of the VW were pronounced dead at the scene. The other two passengers sustained severe injuries; one was airlifted to Fresno Community Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries several hours later.
The accident was investigated by the CHP. The officers determined that the driver of the Ford Explorer was under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident, and recommended that she be criminally charged for causing the accident.
Case Facts
The surviving husband and five children retained GJEL Accident Attorneys to represent them for the wrongful death of their wife and mother. Because of the multiple claims arising from the survivors of the other two fatalities and the eleven other people injured in the accident, Attorney Jim Larsen had to vigorously assert his client’s sense of loss to assure that they received a fair allocation of the proceeds of the insurance policies.
Extensive negotiations among the three law firms representing fourteen clients and eight individuals who represented themselves were managed by Attorney Larsen to achieve a settlement payment to our client’s family of $420,000.00.
| Insurance Company Names: | CSAA, Dairyland (Viking) |
| Police Report | CHP |
| Vehicle Types | 2006 Ford Explorer, 2000 VW New Beetle |
| Accident Locations: | US Hwy 101, half mile north of Central Ave, near King City, CA |
| Hospitals and Medical Centers Visited | Fresno Community Medical Center |
| Types of Injuries (Specific as possible) | Fatality |
Monterey car crash statistics
GJEL Accident Attorneys, a personal injury law firm in California, is well-informed of the car crash statistics in Monterey. In 2017, the Monterey County had a total of 2,873 reported motor vehicle crashes, resulting in 18 fatalities and 1,876 injuries. This highlights the importance of driving safely and responsibly on the roads. The majority of these car crashes (71%) occurred on urban roads and the most common type of crash was rear-end collisions, accounting for 28% of all crashes.
The most common contributing factor to car crashes in Monterey County was following too closely, which was cited in 22% of all crashes. This highlights the importance of maintaining a safe following distance from the vehicle in front. Speeding was the second most common contributing factor to car crashes, cited in 16% of all crashes. This highlights the need for drivers to obey speed limits and drive at a safe speed for the conditions.
What are the most common Monterey car crash injuries?
Head Injuries: Head injuries are some of the most common and potentially serious injuries sustained in car crashes. A head injury can range from a minor concussion to a life-threatening brain injury. The impact from a crash can cause the head to hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or window, causing a range of head injuries. Some of the most common head injuries include concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. If you have suffered a head injury in a car crash, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, as some head injuries can take time to develop and become apparent.
Neck and Back Injuries: Neck and back injuries are also common in car crashes, especially in rear-end collisions. Whiplash, a type of neck injury, can occur when the head is suddenly and violently jerked forward and backward. Whiplash can cause pain and stiffness in the neck, and it can also cause headaches and other symptoms. Back injuries can also occur in car crashes and can range from a strain or sprain to a more serious injury such as a herniated disk.
Internal Injuries: Internal injuries can be serious and life-threatening. Some of the most common internal injuries sustained in car crashes include injuries to the chest, such as broken ribs and punctured lungs, as well as abdominal injuries, such as lacerated organs. Internal injuries can be difficult to diagnose, as they may not be immediately apparent, but it is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have suffered an internal injury in a car crash.
Limb Injuries: Limb injuries, such as broken bones, are also common in car crashes. The impact from a crash can cause limbs to hit the dashboard, steering wheel, or other parts of the vehicle, resulting in broken bones, sprains, and other injuries. Limb injuries can be painful and require a significant amount of time to heal.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Andy is a highly recognized wrongful death lawyer in California.