Serious Modesto Crash Injures One, Investigation Ongoing

Serious Two-Vehicle Crash at Pelandale Avenue and Prescott Road in Modesto Ejects One, Prompts Ongoing Investigation

On Saturday morning, October 25, 2025, a violent two-vehicle collision in northwest Modesto left one man with major injuries after he was ejected from a vehicle. The crash occurred around 8:00 AM at the intersection of Pelandale Avenue and Prescott Road. When first responders arrived, bystanders were performing CPR on the ejected individual. According to officials on scene, responders were able to regain the man’s pulse before transporting him to Doctors Medical Center for emergency treatment. A second person suffered minor injuries and was also taken to a local hospital. The seriously injured victim’s current condition has not yet been released.

Authorities closed portions of Pelandale Avenue and Prescott Road for several hours to document evidence, take measurements, and reconstruct the sequence of events. The collision remains under active investigation, and the precise cause—whether related to speed, distraction, signal timing, right-of-way errors, impairment, or other factors—has not yet been determined.

What Investigators Typically Examine After an Intersection Collision

Intersection crashes often turn on split-second decisions and multiple, overlapping factors. In a case like this, investigators may review:

- Signal timing and phasing to determine which direction had the right of way
- Skid marks, yaw marks, and debris fields to estimate speed and direction
- Vehicle crush patterns and onboard event data recorders (black boxes)
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage from nearby businesses or city systems
- Eyewitness statements and 911 call recordings
- Weather, lighting, and visibility conditions, including sun glare at the time of impact
- Potential impairment, distraction, or fatigue of either driver

Because these cases can involve disputed facts, it is important for injured victims or their families to preserve evidence early, before it is lost or overwritten.

Understanding Vehicle Ejection and Injury Risks

Ejection during a collision is strongly associated with life-threatening injuries due to the combined forces of impact and secondary contact with the roadway or fixed objects. While ejection often correlates with seat belt nonuse, a small percentage of ejections can occur even when occupants are restrained—such as during rollovers, structural failures, or when windows and doors are compromised. It is too early to draw any conclusions about the restraint status in this incident.

Common injuries in ejection scenarios include traumatic brain injuries, spinal trauma, internal bleeding, fractures, and extensive soft-tissue damage. Rapid initiation of CPR by bystanders, as occurred here, can be critical in improving survival odds before advanced care arrives.

California’s Comparative Negligence and Fault in Car Accidents

California follows a comparative negligence system. That means fault can be shared among multiple parties, and an injured person’s compensation may be reduced by their percentage of responsibility, if any. In an intersection crash, questions often arise about:

- Which driver had the right of way
- Whether a driver ran a red light or stop signal
- Speed relative to posted limits and traffic conditions
- Visual obstructions and lane positioning
- Distraction, impairment, or drowsiness
- Mechanical failures or defective components

Even if an injured person is found partially at fault, they may still recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages from the other responsible party or parties.

Potential Claims and Coverage in Modesto Car Accidents

Injured victims may have several potential paths for recovery, including:

- Third-party bodily injury claim against an at-fault driver’s liability insurance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage under the victim’s own policy, if the at-fault driver has no or insufficient insurance
- Medical payments (MedPay) benefits, if available, regardless of fault
- Property damage and diminished value claims for vehicle losses
- Wrongful death claims by eligible family members if a crash becomes fatal

California is a fault-based state, not a no-fault/PIP system. Health insurers may pay initial bills but could assert reimbursement rights (liens) from any settlement. An attorney can help coordinate benefits, address liens, and maximize net recovery.

A serious car accident can change lives in an instant—leaving victims with devastating injuries, financial strain, and emotional trauma. At Avian Law Group, we understand how overwhelming the aftermath of such an event can be, and we are dedicated to helping victims and their families find justice, healing, and stability.

Our experienced attorneys work diligently to investigate every detail of the crash, identify those responsible, and ensure that our clients receive the full compensation they deserve. We stand by our clients every step of the way—providing compassionate support and aggressive legal advocacy to help them rebuild and move forward.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious car accident, contact Avian Law Group today. We are here to protect your rights, fight for your recovery, and help you navigate the road to justice.