Monday afternoon, in Natomas, California, a chain reaction crash led to at least two vehicles catching fire, one death, and two injuries. 

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a pickup truck driver traveling westbound on I-80 near I-5 did not see stopped traffic ahead which caused them to slam into a Toyota Tacoma, setting off a chain reaction with three other vehicles. 

The driver of the Tacoma died at the scene after the first three vehicles were fully engulfed in flames. According to CHP officers, two others were injured and taken to the hospital, one with major injuries and the other with minor injuries.

Crews initially set out at 4:25 pm in response to reports of a multi-vehicle crash. Later, around 4:40 pm the Caltrans camera on I-80 in Natomas a large plume of smoke rising from the left lanes was visible. 

What Can Cause Accidents Like This? 

There are a few different factors that can contribute to causing accidents like the one that caused a multi-vehicle chain-reaction crash in Natomas on Monday. Causes may include:

• Driver inattention – distracted driving can prevent drivers from seeing the stopped traffic up ahead. Distractions such as using a smartphone, eating, or adjusting the radio can take the driver’s focus off the road leading to accidents. 
• Speeding – if a driver is speeding they may not have enough time to stop when they suddenly come upon stopped traffic or the car in front of them suddenly slows down. 
• Sudden traffic stops – unexpected stopped traffic can be a bit more difficult to spot, especially if the driver comes upon it after a bend in the road. If they are traveling at high speeds, such as driving on the freeway, and not paying attention it can lead to serious collisions.
• Traffic congestion – heavy traffic conditions can increase the likelihood and severity of chain-reaction crashes as many vehicles may be closely packed with little room to maneuver. 

Legal Options Available for Victims and Families

Victims and their families may be able to take legal action to obtain compensation for damages they suffered in this accident. 

“Accidents like this are not only extremely dangerous but can leave victims with serious injuries that require extensive treatment,” says Gerald Singleton, a personal injury attorney and Managing Partner at Singleton Schreiber, “Additionally, the family whose loved one died in this accident may be facing financial hardship due to funeral and burial costs, and the lost love, comfort, and financial support their loved one may have provided them.

“All parties involved may be eligible to file legal claims to help cover the expenses they are now facing in the aftermath of this tragic accident.”

Depending on the determination of who or what was the cause of this accident, victims and families may be able to file either personal injury claims or wrongful death claims. 

If you have been injured in a multi-vehicle accident or tragically lost a loved one in such an accident, contact the team at Singleton Schreiber today to learn how they may be able to help you. Call (916) 248-8478 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to set up your free consultation. 

A multi-vehicle crash in Lake Los Angeles led to the death of two people and injured two others.

The collision occurred late Monday morning, around 11:40 am in the area of 152nd Street East and East Palmdale Boulevard. 

The county Fire Department reported that two victims died at the scene, while two others were injured. According to authorities, one of the injured victims suffered minor injuries while the other was in critical condition. 

The collision involved three vehicles. Two of the vehicles were almost completely destroyed by the impact and a power pole was also knocked down in the collision. 

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. 

According to 2021 data on fatal car crashes collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), the fatality rate was 1.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas in California.

Lake Los Angeles is a rural, unincorporated community in the Antelope Valley of Los Angeles County. The community is about 40 miles northeast of the city of Los Angeles. 

How can drivers protect themselves and others when driving on the road?

• Drive sober – driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol reduces reaction time and impairs drivers’ ability to respond and react quickly to changing road conditions. 
• Adhere to posted speed limits – driving over the speed limit can increase the chances of an accident and the severity of injuries. 
• Obey posted signs and traffic signals – stopping at stop signs and not running red lights helps increase safety on the road and allows other vehicles to better predict each other’s moves. 
• Use signals – drivers should be sure to use blinkers to indicate to others their intentions, additionally, they should ensure that their brake lights and headlights work so that they are visible to others and their actions are appropriately communicated. 
• Avoid distracted driving – drivers should not engage in distracted driving practices such as using smartphones, adjusting the radio or car settings while driving, or eating, as it can divert their attention away from the road and cause accidents.

Legal Options for Victims And Their Families

“Multi-vehicle accidents like this one are some of the most dangerous and unpredictable situations on the road,” says ​​Gerald Singleton, Managing Partner at Singleton Schreiber, “The aftermath of these kinds of collisions often have devastating outcomes and leave families to grapple with profound loss and uncertainty. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause and hold the responsible parties accountable when there are multiple vehicles involved, however, we have faith that local law enforcement can get to the bottom of it.” 

In situations such as this one, victims and their families may be able to pursue various avenues of legal recourse. Those who were injured may file personal injury claims to obtain compensation for their medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and more. The families whose loved ones died in the accident may be able to file wrongful death claims to obtain compensation for funeral and burial arrangements, loss of support, pain and suffering, and more. 

If you have been injured in a multi-vehicle accident or tragically lost a loved one, contact an attorney at Singleton Schreiber today to learn more about your options. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to schedule your free consultation today. 

Two people died in a two-car collision on US Highway 550 on Thursday afternoon. The collision occurred near Rio Rancho, New Mexico. 

Rio Rancho Police Department and Fire Rescue responded to a reported “severe motor vehicle accident” on the Northwest Loop of US 550. After investigation, police discovered the two vehicles collided as one was attempting to turn left onto the highway. 

The two victims who died in the crash were both in the vehicle that was traveling on US 550 at the time of the collision. Three others involved were taken to local hospitals in stable condition. 

Local law enforcement is continuing to investigate the collision. 

Safe Driving Tips

“Incidents like this one highlight the fact that intersections are some of the most dangerous areas of the road,” says New Mexico Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber, Brian Colón, “this tragic accident is a somber reminder that it is important to exercise caution and fully check for oncoming traffic before executing a left turn, or entering an intersection.”

Behaviors that drivers can practice to create a safer environment on the road include:

• Obeying traffic signals and signs – adhering to posted traffic signs and signals allows other drivers on the road to trust each other and easily predict the movements of other vehicles so that they may avoid inadvertently causing an accident.
• Staying alert – avoid driving while distracted by phones, eating, or adjusting the radio.
• Driving sober – not getting behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Adhering to posted speed limits – driving the speed limit, especially on the highway is important to ensure safety. Driving at higher speeds can increase the severity of collisions and injuries and can greatly reduce the available reaction time a driver has to respond to changing road conditions. 
• Being mindful of weather conditions – adjusting your speed and distance between cars accordingly when driving in extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, and ice. This allows drivers more time and space to react to sudden changes. 

Victim’s Legal Options

Those affected by a crash, such as the one that occurred on Thursday, may have legal recourse. Options may include filing a personal injury claim for those who were injured, or a wrongful death claim for those who lost their loved ones. 

Victims may be able to obtain compensation for the damages they suffered. 

If you have been injured in a New Mexico car accident or tragically lost a loved one, contact the attorneys at Singleton Schreiber today to learn more about your options. Call (505) 605-2076 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today. 

Just before 7:00 am, a single vehicle driving on I-805 north lost control and crashed into the concrete base of the H Street, E Street, and Bonita Road exit sign. 

All three passengers were males from other parts of California. The driver was a 24-year-old male from Oakland, driving a white Toyota Camry rental car from Los Angeles. 

One passenger, a 23-year-old from Newark, California died in the crash. When firefighters arrived, good samaritans had already pulled him out of the vehicle along with one other victim. Firefighters had to cut the vehicle apart to remove the third victim. 

The two surviving victims suffered major injuries and were transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital for treatment and underwent surgery. 

Due to the accident, California Highway Patrol shut down two lanes of the 805 North causing traffic to build up in morning rush hour. All lanes were re-opened by 9 am. 

CHP does not believe drugs or alcohol to be contributing factors to the accident. They will continue to investigate the cause of the accident, and ask that any witnesses come forward. 

Common Causes of Single Vehicle Accidents

“Single-vehicle accidents on the freeway are relatively common on California freeways and there are many factors that can contribute to causing them,” says Brett Schreiber, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “Even though these types of accidents only involve one vehicle, they can still cause serious injuries and significant property damage, and may also result in fatalities.” 

Some of the most common causes include: 

• Distracted Driving – engaging in activities such as texting, talking on the phone, using GPS, or adjusting the radio or car settings can take the driver’s attention away from the road. 
• Speeding – driving over the posted speed limit, especially on the freeway where speed is already high, can reduce available reaction time and may make it difficult to control the vehicle when navigating curves or encountering obstacles in the road. 
• Fatigue – driving while drowsy can make it hard for the driver to focus and they may fall asleep at the wheel and cause an accident. 
• Overcorrection – if the driver must suddenly veer in one direction to avoid an obstacle they are more likely to lose control of the vehicle, which can result in a rollover accident or cause them to collide with barriers. 
• Poor Road Maintenance – if roads are not properly maintained and have potholes, uneven surfaces, or even loose gravel, these factors may cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident. 
• Debris on the Road – objects like tire treads, branches, or furniture dropped from trucks are on the road, drivers may have to swerve to avoid them and thus may lose control. 
• Vehicle Malfunctions – situations such as tire blowouts, brake failure, or steering problems can cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle and may lead to a crash. 
• Adverse Weather Conditions– adverse weather, like fog or rain, can make visibility low and reduce tire traction.
• Health Emergencies – if a driver experiences a health emergency such as a seizure or heart attack, they may lose control of the vehicle.

If you have lost a loved one in a single-vehicle accident, or you’ve been injured in one, you may have legal recourse. 

“This situation is heartbreaking,” says Schreiber, “we hope that the two surviving victims pull through and are able to help officials get to the bottom of what caused the accident.”

Contact the team at Singleton Schreiber today for a free consultation. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today.