EspañolUber Driver Jorge Topete (Full Name: Jorge Vasquez Topete) Died In Salinas Hit-And-Run Car Accident That Left Passenger Critically Injured
SALINAS, CALIFORNIA (February 15, 2024) – A man identified as Jorge Topete has tragically died in a Salinas Uber accident by North Sanborn Road and Freedom Parkway.
Monterey County officials are saying that the incident took place around 11:14 a.m. p.m. on Sunday. Jorge Topete was driving an Uber with a passenger when his vehicle was hit by a 27-year-old driver.
The 27-year-old driver fled the scene but was later captured by police. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims.
Sadly, Jorge Topete died due to the severity of his injuries. The Uber passenger was taken to Natividad Medical Center in critical condition.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Salinas Uber Accidents
As companies like Uber and Lyft have continued to grow so to have the number of accidents with rideshare vehicles. According to one report in Science, the arrival in rideshareing was associated with a 2% to 3% increase in the number of car occupants and pedestrians killed between 2011 and 2016. There are a number of factors that could potentially contribute to any car accident.
- Many collisions are due to speeding. Drivers are much more likely to lose control of their vehicles at higher speeds.
- Driver intoxication is another major factor. Even small amounts of alcohol can substantially impair a person’s ability to drive safely.
- Collisions are much more likely to take place when drivers are making left turns. In fact, left turns account for nearly 10 times as many collisions at intersections as right turns.
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle in their own lane of travel.
Every Uber vehicle has an insurance policy to help injured Uber occupants regardless of who was at fault. However, for the insurance coverage to apply, the Uber driver must have been transporting a passenger with the app turned on. Third parties may also have recourse if an Uber driver was on their way to pickup a passenger when they were involved in a crash. It is important that certain steps are taken after any accident with an Uber vehicle.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A police report should be created.
- An experienced Uber accident attorney should be contacted.
The vast majority of car accidents are preventable. It is estimated that roughly 93% of all collisions involve some amount of human error. When a driver causes an accident and flees the scene, they can face civil and criminal liability for their actions. It is important for victims to understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in a collision may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Salinas Uber Accidents
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jorge Topete. It is our sincere hope that the Uber passenger injured in this crash will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place.
Do you need more information about a Salinas Uber accident? Our team of Uber accident attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
