What happened
- Aug 3, 2026 — Highway 198 east of 7th Avenue near Hanford (Kings County) — a pickup crossed the center divider and hit an oncoming car head-on, which was then pushed into a third vehicle that overturned.
- The driver of the car struck head-on was killed; several other people across the vehicles were hospitalized.
- Per CHP, alcohol and drugs are not suspected. The California Highway Patrol is investigating.
Source: ABC30 Action News. Details reflect initial reporting and may change as the investigation continues.
A head-on crash — especially one that pulls in a third, uninvolved vehicle — is among the most devastating wrecks on Valley highways, and our hearts go out to everyone affected here. For families and injured people trying to understand what comes next, here’s how California law treats crossover head-on crashes and what rights are involved.
Your rights after a head-on (center-divider) crash
When a driver crosses a center divider into oncoming traffic, that driver is almost always at fault — crossing the line and failing to stay in your lane is a clear violation. That puts the people they hit in a strong position to recover.
These crashes usually create more than one type of claim:
- Wrongful death. When someone is killed, California law lets certain surviving family members — typically a spouse or domestic partner, children, and sometimes other dependents — bring a wrongful death claim for lost financial support, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of their loved one’s companionship and care.
- Injured occupants and passengers. Passengers are almost never at fault, so injured passengers can generally recover regardless of who was driving.
- The innocent third vehicle. When a chain reaction drags in another car, the people in that vehicle didn’t cause anything — and they can pursue a claim against the driver who started it.
When many people are hurt by one driver, insurance can run short. A single at-fault policy may not cover everyone’s injuries. That’s when other sources — your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or additional responsible parties — become critical. It’s one of the first things an experienced attorney investigates.
What injured people and families can do
- Get and keep medical records — head-on crashes cause serious injuries that often require long-term care.
- Request the CHP report when it’s available; it documents how the crash happened and who crossed the line.
- Check every applicable policy — the at-fault driver’s, your own, and any others — for available coverage.
- Get advice before giving a recorded statement or accepting an early offer, especially when multiple victims are competing for limited coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Who is at fault in a head-on crash where a car crossed the center line?
Almost always the driver who crossed into oncoming traffic. Staying in your lane is a basic duty, so crossing the divider is strong evidence of fault — though CHP’s investigation and the physical evidence confirm the details.
A family member was killed. Who can file a wrongful death claim?
Generally a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and sometimes other dependents or heirs. It can recover lost support, funeral costs, and the loss of the loved one’s companionship and guidance.
I was in the third car that got hit. Do I have a claim?
Yes. Occupants of an uninvolved vehicle pulled into a chain-reaction crash can pursue a claim against the driver who caused it — you didn’t do anything wrong.
What if there’s not enough insurance to cover everyone?
It happens when one driver injures several people. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and any additional responsible parties may provide more. A lawyer’s job is to find every available source.
Injured — or lost a loved one — in a Kings County crash?
The Wagner Law Group has recovered over $300 million for injury victims and families across the Central Valley. If you have questions about your rights, talk to us for free — no fee unless we win.
This post is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and is not a solicitation of any specific individual. Details are based on initial news reports and may change as the investigation continues. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this crash. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney.