Chain reaction crash kills 1

California Highway Patrol confirmed that a 36-year-old woman from Dublin was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Dec. 10. After being ejected from her vehicle, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Investigators do not believe that impairment was a factor in the collision, and toxicology results were not immediately available.

The fatal car accident took place along Interstate 580 near Vasco Road in Livermore. Shortly after 3 p.m., a 2012 Ford 150 pickup truck struck the victim's 2003 Jeep Cherokee from behind. The impact of the collision caused the Jeep to overturn and catch fire. A Honda Civic and another pickup truck also became involved in the crash, and the drivers of both of those vehicles suffered from minor injuries.

Following the accident, all of the lanes on eastbound I-580 were closed for several hours. Six days after the accident, investigators were still unsure about what factors may have caused the wreck. No citations have been issued to the 45-year-old Modesto man who was driving the Ford pickup truck that was involved in the crash.

When a fatal accident involves several vehicles, the investigation into the collision can take some time to be completed. During this time, family members of a deceased victim might want to begin speaking with an attorney about putting together a wrongful death claim against the driver who is determined to be at fault. Even if the at-fault driver is not criminally charged, a civil claim for compensation can still proceed. Family members may seek reimbursement for funeral expenses, medical care fees before the victim's death and property damage.

Source: San Jose Mercury News, "Woman killed in multivehicle crash in Livermore identified", Natalie Neysa Alund, December 16, 2014