Biker Killed in Merced County Crash
A biker was killed, and a driver was arrested after a crash in Merced County on July 24, 2023. The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. at the intersection of State Route 140 and Buhach Road in Merced County, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Details on the Crash in Merced County That Killed a Biker
According to officials, a man was riding a Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on State Route 140. At the same time, a 24-year-old Atwater man was driving a Nissan Sentra on SR-140 and was preparing to turn left onto Buhach Road. The Nissan allegedly entered the path of the motorcyclist resulting in a crash.
The impact of the collision allegedly propelled the man off the motorcycle. He fell onto the westbound lane of State Route 140. Shortly after the initial crash, the biker was reportedly struck by a Ford Mustang driven by a woman from Merced, age 20.
The Nissan driver allegedly left the crash site following the incident, CHP traffic officers said. They were later tracked down at their residence and arrested for vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run. Further details on the crash in Merced County that killed a biker were unavailable.
What Families Should Know About Cases of Wrongful Death in California
The death of a family member is painful, even more so when it is sudden, and another party is responsible for the loss of life. The emotional toll is often great, and the accompanying financial hardship may devastate surviving family members. California law has laws in place to provide a legal recovery to survivors when a close relative has suffered fatal injuries in an accident due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence. A set of procedures and rules must be followed closely in cases of wrongful death in California.
There are restrictions placed on who can file for wrongful death in California. CCP 377.60 outlines the eligibility of surviving family members based on their relationship with the decedent and other facts. In most cases, the surviving spouse, children, or domestic partner of the deceased has priority to bring these matters forward. There is also a deadline of two years for these cases. This means that survivors must settle the case within the two-year statute of limitations or file the matter in civil court. Failure to file before the statute of limitations runs out may result in the case’s dismissal by the court.
Economic and non-economic damages in wrongful death cases are generally provided by insurers or awarded by a jury to survivors in a wrongful death case. The damages available will depend on the facts and circumstances of the matter. In most cases, survivors may be entitled to claim loss of companionship, medical bills (through a survival action), funeral service arrangements, mental anguish, and other losses in connection with the loss of life. A skilled California wrongful death lawyer can review the case, determine your eligibility, and advise you on what to expect from the process moving forward.
Motorcycle Accident Attorney in California
If you have lost a family member in a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence, reach out to our legal team at AutoAccident.com for immediate assistance. Our California motorcycle accident attorneys are available to review your case, answer questions, and provide support during this difficult time. Call today to receive free, friendly advice on your potential case at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. Our firm has handled cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have been successful in helping our clients obtain the full compensation they need and deserve.
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