A head-on collision on Highway 1 near Lompoc left one California man dead and another in serious condition on March 10. Authorities said the crash occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. south of Jalama Road.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 32-year-old Lynwood man was driving his Toyota Tacoma on the highway when he traversed the centerline and struck an oncoming Cheverolet Silverado head-on. The Chevrolet driver, a 33-year-old man who resides in Lompoc, was trapped in his vehicle for 30 minutes before being extricated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. He was transported to Cottage Hospital with major injuries. The Toyota driver, who was reportedly on his way to work, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The southbound lanes of Highway 1 were closed for several hours as police investigated the accident and cleared the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

A head-on car crash may be caused by a number of factors, including poor road design, debris on the road and driver negligence. Once police have determined the cause of the crash, those who were injured may wish to speak with a lawyer about their legal options. For instance, if a driver was distracted by talking on a cellphone and then swerved into oncoming traffic, it may be advisable to file a civil personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. In a situation where the at-fault driver was killed in the crash, a claim may be made against their estate. If it is determined at trial that the driver's negligence was the cause of the crash, an accident victim may receive compensation for their medical expenses and other damages.

Source: KEYT, "One Killed, Another in Serious Condition Following Crash South of Lompoc," Joe Buttitta, March 10, 2015