Police have recently identified the driver who died in a late-night collision in Oakland in April 2023. The deceased, Ricardo Solis, 23, died a few days after the crash that occurred on April 14, 2023. According to authorities, the collision happened on I 580, in Oakland near Harrison Street around 3:30 am in the southbound lanes. 

Authorities say that Solis was driving the Toyota Corolla and was struck by a Chevrolet Malibu. After being struck by the Chevrolet, Solis’ Corolla collided with a Toyota Tacoma, causing it to be smashed on both the front and rear ends, according to police. 

Police said that the Chevrolet driver stayed on the scene and cooperated with police by giving a statement. The driver said he was traveling at the speed limit and did not notice the Toyota until it was too late. 

Freeway Driving Safety Tips

The freeway can be dangerous, with many vehicles driving at high speeds, so it is important for drivers to be vigilant and drive safely. Some freeway driving safety tips:

• Stay alert and focused: keep your attention on the road, and avoid distractions like using your phone, eating, or adjusting the radio while driving.
• Maintain a safe following distance: keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This will afford you more time to react in case the car ahead stops abruptly.
• Follow the speed limit: Adhere to posted speed limits and adjust your speed in accordance with traffic, road, and weather conditions. Driving at a safe speed can prevent accidents and reduce the severity of collisions. 
• Use your mirrors: it is good practice to regularly check your mirrors and stay aware of the vehicles and traffic around you. This helps you anticipate the actions of other drivers and make informed decisions.
• Avoid driving in other drivers’ blind spots: try to avoid lingering in other vehicles’ blind spots, especially large trucks. If you can’t see the truck driver’s mirrors, they most likely can’t see you. 
• Use your signals: use your turn signals to indicate lane changes and turns well in advance. This lets other drivers anticipate your movements and respond appropriately. 

Legal Options Available

“My heart goes out to the family and friends of Ricardo Solis. I hope that they are able to find closure and peace,”says attorney Brett Schreiber of Singleton Schreiber, “I can only imagine how devastating it must be to find out a year later that your loved one was identified. As a personal injury attorney, I have seen how accidents like this can devastate a family. It is important that they know they may have legal action and could consider speaking with an attorney.”

Depending on the circumstances of the accident and findings authorities have discovered in their investigation, family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim 

If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, contact the Santa Rosa, CA personal injury lawyers at Singleton Schreiber to learn more about your options. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com.

ALBUQUERQUE — A man and a woman were hospitalized Tuesday afternoon after a multi-car crash on Roma Avenue Northeast.

Police and first responders were dispatched around 12:30 p.m. to a crash on Roma Avenue between Truman Street and San Mateo Boulevard. A man driving east on Roma Avenue in a Jeep SUV reportedly had a medical episode before hitting four parked vehicles and rolling over.

Local media reported that the driver and a woman who may have been a passenger in the Jeep were being transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, but were considered to be in stable condition.

A section of Roma Avenue was temporarily closed so that Albuquerque Police could conduct a crash investigation.

“We are glad to hear that the people involved in this crash seem to be stable,” said Brian Colón, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber’s New Mexico practice. “Hopefully their treatment plans are effective and return them to their loved ones quickly.”

“If you or someone you know has been involved in a crash like this, whether as a driver or as the owner of a car that gets hit, it may be in your interest to consult a personal injury attorney. We can help you identify and pursue any legal options available to you, so you can recover the money you need to deal with unexpected expenses like repair costs, medical bills or lost wages.”

Rollover crashes are responsible for nearly 3 in 10 motor vehicle occupant deaths in the U.S.

Rollovers increase the degree of danger in any crash.

A 2014 study dating all the way back to 1984 found that rollover crashes had accounted for just over 2% of all motor vehicle crashes, but 33% of the annual injury cost — with more than half of the harm coming in the form of head, neck and spine injuries.

That said, adjustments to car design and electronic stability controls since 2010 have greatly reduced the risk of rollover in many crash situations. But despite those improvements, more than 7,400 people died in rollover crashes in 2022, according to data analyzed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, accounting for 29% of all motor vehicle occupant deaths.

If you or a loved one has been in a rollover crash, please contact the Albuquerque car crash lawyers at Singleton Schreiber by calling (505) 605-2076 or email at info@singletonschreiber.com. 

Tuesday, June 4th, just before 10 pm in Ruidoso, New Mexico, an alleged drunk driver, Jadyn Wyatt Mow, caused a head-on collision that resulted in the fatality of George S. Fitzgibbon. State Police reported responding to the fatal head-on collision that occurred near 1408 Mechem Drive in Ruidoso. 

According to New Mexico State Police, 22-year-old Mow was traveling north on Mechem Drive in a Dodge Ram pickup truck while at the same time, 46-year-old Fitzgibbon was traveling south in a Subaru. At one point, Mow crossed the center line and entered into opposing traffic, striking the Subaru head-on. 

State Police reported that Fitzgibbobn died at the scene and Mow sustained only minor injuries. 

After assessing the accident scene, police determined that Mow was determined to be driving while under the influence of alcohol. Mow was booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center and is being charged with DWI, resulting in great bodily harm or death. 

Wrongful Death Claims

Family members who have wrongfully lost their loved one due to another person’s negligence may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. These claims seek to provide compensation for the survivors’ loss, including lost wages from the deceased, lost companionship, and funeral expenses. 

To establish a wrongful death claim, generally, the family must prove the following elements:

• Duty of Care: The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased.
• Breach of Duty: it must be demonstrated that the defendant breached this duty of care. 
• Causation: the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the death of the deceased. 
• Damages: the plaintiff must show that they suffered damages as a result of the death. 

“Our hearts go out to the family who lost their loved one in Tuesday night’s collision,” says Brian Colón, an attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “As a personal attorney, I’ve seen the devastating impact a fatal DWI accident can have on family members and the community. I’ve held the hand of a mother who buried her child due to the recklessness of a drunk driver. It is important that the Mow’s family, and families in similar situations know, that they may have legal recourse, and could consider contacting and experienced wrongful death attorney to learn more about their options.”

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Driving under the influence is a common cause of car accidents, there are other factors that  can also contribute to the cause of accidents, including:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Poor weather conditions
• Not adhering to posted traffic signs and signals
• Driver fatigue
• And more

If you have wrongfully lost a loved one in a DWI car accident, call Singleton Schreiber today at (505) 605-2076 or by email at info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about your options from an Albuquerque car crash lawyer.