Biker Died in Head-On Collision
A biker was killed in a Fresno County head-on collision on the afternoon of August 11, 2019. The motorcycle accident occurred just after 2:30 p.m. at Highway 41 and Harlan Avenue. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), an SUV was traveling northbound on Highway 41 while a motorcyclist was headed south. The SUV driver reportedly attempted to overtake another vehicle, entered the oncoming traffic lane, and collided with the motorcycle rider head-on. The occupants of the SUV escaped serious injuries in the crash, CHP said. Sadly, the motorcyclist passed away at the scene. Officials have identified the biker as 49-year-old Cary Williams of Fresno. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Williams in their time of loss.
Losing a Loved One in a Fresno County Head-On Collision
Anguish and grief are natural to feel after losing a family member. Coming to terms with the loss can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining, especially when it was caused by wrongful death. You may need to sort through challenging legal documents, wills, and auto insurance policies while processing grief. You may also feel overwhelmed about your family’s future financial security if the decedent was the primary provider of the household. An experienced Fresno wrongful death lawyer can investigate the wrongful death car accident and determine the best legal option for survivors. This way, your family can focus on coping with grief while an attorney works to ease your legal and financial hardships.
What Damages Can Be Recovered for Wrongful Death?
When a person’s death was caused by the carelessness or negligence of another driver or entity, the surviving family members may be able to recover wrongful death damages. With assistance from a Fresno wrongful death attorney, survivors may claim the following economic and noneconomic losses:
- Emotional suffering
- Expenses for medical treatment received by the deceased before his or her passing. These may be sought through a survival action.
- Household services that were provided by the deceased such as caring for children and lawn maintenance.
- Loss of a loved one’s companionship, society, care, and affection for survivors.
- Loss of parental guidance and training for surviving children.
- Loss of the decedent’s future financial support and benefits for the family.
- Lost inheritance
- Mental anguish
- Punitive damages are available in cases involving egregious misconduct such as driving under the influence. These damages are generally not covered by insurance companies. Instead, they are brought against negligent parties to deter them from similar acts in the future.
Wrongful death cases may be challenging to comprehend when coming to terms with a loved one’s unexpected death. For a breakdown on these types of cases, watch the below video.
Does Car Insurance Cover Wrongful Death?
After a wrongful death motorcycle accident, a claim will need to be filed with the negligent driver’s insurer. If the responsible motorist has little to no insurance coverage, the family may be able to seek recourse through their own auto insurance policy. This is a potential option so long as survivors have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and the decedent is not listed as an excluded policy member. For more details, contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Fresno.
Can Anyone File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Not everyone has the grounds to file a claim for wrongful death. In California, that right is reserved for the decedent’s surviving children, spouse, or domestic partner. If such parties are nonexistent, others may be eligible to file for wrongful death. This includes the decedent’s putative spouse, stepchildren, and parents. To determine your eligibility for a wrongful death claim, reach out to an attorney as soon as you are able to.
Wrongful Death Attorneys in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno wrongful death attorney. Dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one may be challenging for any family, particularly when it was caused by the negligent act of another. If this situation applies to you and your family, please reach out to me anytime to receive my compassionate, free, and friendly advice. Contact me locally at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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I am proud to belong to several legal groups, including the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates. The first group is reserved for those attorneys who provide clients with the highest standards of excellence. Membership of the other forum is limited to trial attorneys who have won $1 million for their clients through case verdicts and settlements.
As a Fresno wrongful death attorney, I have helped numerous Fresno County families to obtain fair compensation for their loved one’s wrongful death. To see how we have helped resolve past cases for our clients, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photo Source: By “SplitShire” via Pixabay
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