Harlingen Wrongful Death Attorney
by Benjamin Treviño | February 27th, 2025 | Auto Accident, Fatal Crash, Wrongful Death
J. Gonzalez
Can a one-vehicle crash lead to a wrongful death case?
When two vehicles collide and a person dies, the immediate family members of the victim can bring a wrongful death claim against the driver they believe is to blame for the crash. In most cases, it can easily be determined who was at fault.
However, when a crash doesn’t involve another driver and vehicle, it becomes much harder to establish that someone other than the victim is to blame for their own death. There are certain situations that can potentially justify a wrongful death claim. They include:
Vehicle defects
In certain situations, the vehicle manufacturer can be held liable for an accident if it can be shown that a malfunction in the vehicle caused it. There have been many cases where certain makes and models of cars were found to have defects.
Stuck accelerators, broken wheels, and faulty fuel systems are just a few examples of defects that have caused crashes.
Road conditions
Poorly maintained roads can sometimes cause single-vehicle accidents. Bad lighting, weeds, and missing signage can contribute to these accidents. If this is the case, a wrongful death lawsuit could be filed against the government entity responsible for building, repairing, and maintaining the road.
Third-party negligence
Some one-vehicle accidents can be caused by the reckless driving of another motorist who then drives away when the victim’s car crashes. However, unless there is a camera in the area, liability in this case could be difficult – but not impossible – to prove. A thorough investigation that produces compelling evidence would be needed to assign blame.
Contact J. Gonzalez
While it can be challenging to show liability in a single-vehicle accident, it is important that you speak to the J. Gonzalez Law Firm before you give up. Our expert personal injury and wrongful death attorneys will give your case their personal attention and they might have some options for you. Contact us via this website, or by calling 1-800-CAR-CRASH.
In the meantime, the story below shows that the circumstances of one-car crashes are not always immediately clear.
Woman dies when truck plunges into Harlingen canal
By: Benjamin Treviño
HARLINGEN – Police in Harlingen are investigating the death of a woman whose body found in the cab a submerged pickup truck.
Police responded to the 2200 block of Multi National St. around 9:20 p.m. on February 21 after residents reported a crash in the area.
According to a news release, officers found a pickup truck flipped upside down in a roadside canal. They subsequently found a female victim inside the truck. The woman’s identity was being withheld at this writing, pending notification of next of kin.
According to the news release, police theorize the driver was traveling in the 2600 block of North Expressway 77, when she lost control of the truck, left the highway, and her vehicle ended up in the canal at Multi National St.
The investigation was continuing at this writing.
