Maria Guadalupe Duran, 53, was killed in a head-on car accident with a gravel hauler the morning of May 25, 2010, the Visalia Times-Delta reports. Duran was traveling south on Road 80 in Visalia in a 1998 Toyota Avalon when for some reason she drifted across the center line and into the path of a northbound 2003 Peterbilt truck. California Highway Patrol officials say 60-year-old Randle Hifner, the truck driver, was uninjured. No one else was involved in this crash. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Maria Guadalupe Duran for their tremendous loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 traffic accident statistics, there were seven fatalities and 492 injuries involving car accidents in Visalia, California. In Tulare County as a whole, 65 people died and 1,724 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not entirely clear how or why this fatal car crash occurred. What caused Duran to lose control of her Toyota? Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the Toyota Avalon that caused her to drift away from her lane and crash head-on into the truck? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway? Was she trying to avoid debris on the roadway? Was Duran cut off by another vehicle? I trust officials are looking into these factors in an attempt to shed some light on what occurred here.

If this fatal crash was caused by an auto product defect, the auto maker or manufacturer of the defective product could be held liable. In such cases, it would be in the best interests of the victim's family to preserve the car in its current condition, intact, so it can be examined carefully for evidence of malfunctions or product defects.

Family members of deceased victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will make analyze all facets of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

What are some of your accident prevention tips? We'd like to hear from you.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

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