One person died Tuesday morning, November 3, in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 99 in Tehama County. The collision happened shortly after 10 a.m. just north of Julia’s Fruit Stand, outside Los Molinos. The California Highway Patrol confirmed that a big rig and two other vehicles were involved, Action News Now reported.
Damage to the driver’s side of an SUV pictured in the station’s coverage. Photo by Hayley Watts, Action News Now.
What the caller reported
The person who called in the crash described two impacts. According to the account Hayley Watts reported for Action News Now, the big rig and a car collided first. The car then rolled and struck an SUV. The station did not identify the person who died or report a CHP finding on what caused the first impact.
Read Hayley Watts’s November 3 report for Action News Now.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can a personal injury lawyer help after a truck crash?
After a serious collision, a personal injury law firm can help an injured person or family understand what happened, identify potentially responsible parties and assess available insurance. That work may include interviewing witnesses, seeking camera footage and vehicle data, and comparing those records with the damage to each vehicle.
For example, in a situation similar to the one reported, the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley may help preserve evidence, communicate with insurers and document medical expenses and lost earnings. Depending on the evidence and the client’s circumstances, the firm may negotiate a settlement or pursue a lawsuit. How the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley approaches truck accident claims
Why call while the investigation is still underway?
A dashcam can record over yesterday’s drive. A damaged vehicle can leave the tow yard for repairs before anyone inspects it. An early call gives a personal injury law firm an opportunity to ask the people or companies holding those records to preserve them. That work can begin while the investigating agency prepares its report and doctors evaluate the person’s injuries.
If you have footage, keep an original copy with the minutes before and after the impact. Note where the camera was and whether its clock was accurate. If you witnessed the crash, write down the first thing you actually saw. Describe what you saw and heard, including where you were and whether anything blocked your view.
Do I need the CHP report before I call?
No. The location, approximate time and whatever you remember are enough to start. If you have a CHP incident number or a letter from an insurer, have it handy. Eligible parties can request the report online, in person or by mail. A CHP office can help you determine whether you qualify to receive a copy. CHP crash report instructions
What does it cost to hire a personal injury law firm?
Many personal injury firms offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee, meaning the attorney’s fee depends on recovering money for the client. For example, the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley states that consultations are free, it advances case costs and it charges no attorney’s fee unless it recovers money on the client’s behalf. Ask any firm to explain its fee percentage, how expenses are reimbursed and what happens to expenses if there is no recovery before signing an agreement. The firm’s fee policy for truck accident cases
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in California?
For an ordinary negligence claim against a private party, an injured person generally has two years from the date of injury to file suit. For wrongful death, the usual period is two years from the date of death. Those dates can differ if a person dies sometime after the crash. Calling a law firm, opening an insurance claim or negotiating an offer does not by itself stop the clock. California Courts on personal injury deadlines · Wrongful death filing period
A claim against a California state or local public entity can have a much earlier deadline. For injury or death, the usual first step is to present a government claim within six months after the claim accrues. A proper written rejection generally starts another six-month period to file suit. A different rule applies if the agency gives no proper written notice. A crash on a state highway, by itself, does not establish a claim against the state. California Courts guide to government claims
Tell the lawyer right away if a public vehicle was involved, a claimant is a minor or you have already received a rejection letter. Bring the letter and its envelope. The lawyer can work out which deadlines apply to each person and claim.
How long can a case like this take?
A claim with clear fault and well-documented losses may settle in a few months. A serious or disputed truck crash can take a year or longer, particularly if a lawsuit goes through depositions, expert review and trial. The timeline depends on the evidence, medical recovery, insurance coverage and any disputes over responsibility.
It is possible to move quickly on evidence and still take time over a settlement. For example, if your surgeon cannot yet say whether you will need a second operation, a final offer may leave that cost out. A lawyer can protect the filing deadline while you and your doctors get a clearer picture. The firm’s explanation of truck case timelines
Who should call if someone in the family died?
A spouse, registered domestic partner, adult child, parent or the person handling the estate can make the first call. You can ask for help even if you’re unsure who has authority. Tell the law firm how you’re related, who else survives your loved one, whether there are minor children and whether the court has appointed anyone to handle the estate.
California law identifies who can bring a wrongful death claim. A surviving spouse or registered domestic partner and surviving children generally qualify. A parent may qualify, for example, if they depended on the deceased for support, or if there are no surviving descendants and the parent would inherit under California law. Other relatives or dependents can qualify in specific circumstances. The personal representative can also bring the claim on behalf of eligible survivors. California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60
How is a wrongful death settlement shared?
Eligible survivors generally pursue one wrongful death action together. Each person’s loss can be different. One child may have relied on a parent for daily care, while a surviving spouse may have lost income, companionship and help running the household. Identifying everyone early helps the family address those losses before anyone signs a release.
The first person to call has no special entitlement to the proceeds. Eligible survivors can agree on how to divide a settlement, or a court can determine their shares when allocation is disputed. A child’s share generally requires court approval. California court discussion of settlement allocation · Court approval of a minor’s settlement
There can also be a separate claim for losses the person suffered before death, such as medical bills incurred between the crash and death. This is called a survival claim. The estate’s personal representative, or a qualifying successor if there is no representative, may bring it. Counsel can explain which losses belong to the estate and which belong to individual survivors before the family considers a settlement. California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.30
How do I start a conversation with a personal injury law firm?
Getting started can be as simple as calling a personal injury law firm and asking for help. For example, you can call the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley at (530) 413-0245 and say, “Someone in my family was in a truck crash, and I’d like help understanding what to do next.” If you prefer, you can request a free consultation online.
A firm will typically ask what happened, who needs help and whether anyone has asked you to sign something. You can start with the question that matters most to you, even if it’s simply, “What should I save today?”
General information about California law. A lawyer can assess the deadlines and options for your circumstances.