Two Killed in Van-Pickup Truck Accident in Hollister

Two people have died, and another has been seriously injured in an accident involving a Chevrolet van and a pickup truck outside Hollister over the weekend.

According to news reports, the van crashed head-on into the pickup truck on Saturday evening. The impact caused the van to burst into flames. One of the occupants of the van was knocked unconscious, and died from injuries from the fire.  Other occupants of the van, including 5 passengers and the van driver, were pulled out of the van while it was in flames, and rushed to the hospital with major injuries.  The driver of the pickup truck died at the scene of the crash.

There is no information yet on the causes of the accident. The San Benito County Coroner’s office has not yet released the identities of the two people who died in the car accident.

Injuries sustained in a head-on collision usually tend to be some of the most devastating, because these accidents typically involve at least one vehicle driving at high speeds. The impact of such accidents is extremely severe, and fatalities often result. Every year, more than 4,000 people are killed in traffic accidents in California. However, the California Highway Patrol has been able to bring about a reduction in the number of traffic accident fatalities over the past few years. Numbers this year were at their lowest in years.

Auto Accidents Can Have a Long Term Impact

Being injured in an automobile accident can turn a person’s life upside down. The person may require emergency medical attention, and may have to spend days, weeks and even months in a hospital, depending on the extent of the injuries. He may have the need for physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain muscle strength. In case of catastrophic injuries, the injured victim may have to relearn basic functions like eating, bathing and dressing themselves. The initial physical pain of an accident can quickly lead to anxiety about their health and future, as hospital bills begin to mount. Depression can begin to set in. The person may need physical counseling and support during this difficult time. In case of severe accidents, there may also be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to deal with. This condition occurs when a person survives a life-threatening situation, like a serious motor vehicle accident. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, nightmares, frequent flashbacks and social withdrawal. Once they return home, there may be more financial worries because of their lost income.  A severely injured victim may never be able to return to their former job, causing them severe financial hardship. All this can add to thier stress and worry, and personal relationships can begin to feel the strain of the accident.

Fortunately, California laws allow victims who have been seriously injured in an accident to possibly claim compensation from the responsible party. These damages can help to pay for lost wages, medical bills, lost future earnings, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and even punitive damages in case of severe negligence on the part of the motorist responsible.  A California car accident lawyer can help injured victims of accidents recover the full compensation they are eligible for.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of car accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.