Fresno, CA – An 83-year-old man identified as Hector Lara lost his life Thursday afternoon, January 16, 2024, in a collision involving a big rig in Fresno County, according to The Fresno Bee.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the accident took place around 1:25 PM at the intersection of South and Cedar Avenues.
Lara was driving a Mazda pickup westbound on South Avenue when he approached the intersection, which is controlled by stop signs on South Avenue. A big rig traveling north on Cedar Avenue entered the intersection at the same time. Investigators believe Lara may have failed to stop, causing his vehicle to collide with the big rig.
The impact sent both vehicles into a residential fence at the northeast corner of the intersection. Lara was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the big rig sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Community Regional Medical Center. Authorities stated that alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors in the collision. The investigation remains ongoing.
Wrongful Death Claims
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Liability rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. A personal injury attorney can play a crucial role in helping victims establish legal responsibility after a traffic accident.
Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, feel free to contact Maison Law for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
