Thomas Hancock, 24, was killed in a Riverside car accident after his SUV rolled over and he was partially ejected, the morning of January 14, 2012. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal rollover crash occurred along the Ramona Expressway near Perris in San Jacinto. Officials say Hancock lost control of his SUV before it overturned. It is unclear how or why the crash occurred.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Thomas Hancock following this tragic rollover accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Riverside County Car Accident Statistics

According to the California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), four people were killed and 109 were injured in San Jacinto car accidents. During that same year, there were 203 fatalities and 7,974 injuries reported due to Riverside County car accidents.

What Caused This Fatal Accident?

There is not enough information in this news account regarding how the crash occurred. Was there an auto defect or mechanical malfunction, which caused or contributed to the rollover? Did a dangerous roadway condition cause the driver to lose control of the SUV? Were other vehicles involved? Was the driver errant or negligent in some way? Was Hancock partially ejected from the SUV because he was not buckled up, or because of seatbelt failure? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Liability Issues

In such cases, it would be in the best interests of victims’ families to preserve the vehicle for a thorough inspection by an expert. The vehicle should be carefully examined for defects, malfunctions and other evidence. Victims’ families would be well advised to contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their rights and best interests are protected. If a vehicle defect or design defect caused the accident, the automaker can be held liable for the victim’s wrongful death. The best auto product defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims or their families.