Rodrigo Ramirez, Gustavo Martinez, Rigoberto Martinez and Gabriella Rosas were all fatally injured in a Butte County car accident that caused two vehicles to burst into flames. According to The Appeal Democrat, the fatal car accident occurred on Highway 99 near Oroville the morning October 31, 2010. Police report that Ryan Finnerty, 21, let his 2006 Dodge Dakota veer into opposing lanes of traffic. The Dodge crashed into a 2006 Ford Explorer driven by Rodrigo Ramirez, 41, and then burst into flames. The fire spread to gasoline that had spilled on the street and ignited the Explorer, killing four of the Ford SUV's occupants. Bystanders were able to rescue Guillermo Morales, 35, and 11-year-old Rodrigo Ramirez Jr., from the Explorer. They, and Finnerty were transported to area hospitals and are said to be in critical condition.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and families of the fatally injured victims for their tragic and devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this horrific car accident.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 81 people were injured in Oroville car accidents. During that same year, there were 30 fatalities and 761 personal injuries as a result of car accidents in Butte County.
What Caused This Fatal Accident?
Based on the news account, it is unclear at this point what caused the driver of the Dodge Dakota to enter into opposing traffic lanes. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21651 (a): "Whenever a highway has been divided into two or more roadways by means of intermittent barriers or by means of a dividing section of not less than two feet in width, either unpaved or delineated by curbs, double-parallel lines, or other markings on the roadway, it is unlawful…to drive any vehicle over, upon, or across the dividing section."
Wrongful Death Claims
I trust officials are looking into why Finnerty swerved into oncoming lanes of traffic and caused this fatal car accident. If Finnerty is determined to have been responsible for this car accident, he could not only face criminal charges, but also be held civilly liable for the victims' wrongful death.
In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased car accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise families in such cases about their legal rights and options.
Lost a family member in a California car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Oroville car accident. Call 1-800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a BISNAR | CHASE California wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.
Have you ever lost a loved one in a car accident caused by someone else's negligence?
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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