Fatal Car Accident on SR-120 Near Jamestown
Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a fatal car accident on SR-120 near the Jamestown area on the morning of Sunday, November 14, 2021. The traffic collision occurred on State Route 120 just west of Green Springs Road and involved one vehicle.
Details by CHP on the Fatal Car Accident on SR-120 Near the Jamestown Area
Authorities reported that a Buick sedan was headed eastbound on Highway 120 when it reportedly veered off the roadway and onto the dirt center median. The Buick allegedly crashed into a road marker, causing the driver to lose control of the car.
CHP traffic officers said the Buick veered across the eastbound lane of SR-120, struck an asphalt curb, and came to a rest along the shoulder after overturning several times. Sadly, the Buick driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Officials have recently identified him as 57-year-old William Reeves of Copperopolis.
Things to Know About Wrongful Death Cases in California
When a family member suffers fatal injuries in an accident caused by the negligence of another party or entity, a wrongful death action may be filed on behalf of surviving family members. Situations that may lead to fatal single-vehicle collisions that may constitute a form of negligence may include a government entity’s failure to design and maintain safe public roads and an automaker’s failure to design and manufacture a vehicle that is deemed safe for consumer use. An independent investigation by a skilled accident attorney is often necessary in such cases to properly establish fault on the part of a vehicle manufacturer or a public agency. In the former scenario, it is essential to preserve a vehicle that was involved in a fatal rollover collision for a lawyer and their team of experts to examine and determine whether the roof failed to provide the substantial protection expected as outlined in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216.
Keep in mind that specific filing criteria and deadlines apply to these cases, particularly those naming a public agency as a defendant. While the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of an accident in California, the time limit is shortened to 180 days or six months in cases involving negligence on the part of a government entity. This is by the California Government Code Section 911.2. Substantial and compelling evidence must be gathered and preserved before it is lost or destroyed over time. Without evidence, it may be challenging to prove the viability of the case, and the types of compensation surviving family members are seeking.
The extent of the economic and non-economic damages available in these cases may vary based upon factors that are unique to the claim. Some of the compensatory damages commonly awarded in wrongful death claims in California may include but are not limited to health care expenses associated with the decedent’s final injury, funeral and burial expenses, loss of services, and financial support the decedent provided to the family, and more. An experienced wrongful death lawyer in Jamestown may outline the damages to which surviving family members may be entitled based upon an evaluation of the case and its specifics. For details on how to find the right attorney to handle your fatal car accident claim, watch this video.
About Our Legal Team
At AutoAccident.com, our legal team has handled personal injury and wrongful death cases since 1982. Our top priority is providing our clients with all the options that may be available in their situation and allowing them to decide what is best for them and their families moving forward after a tragic loss of a loved one. Our team of accident attorneys will serve as advocates for your family. Give us a call today to learn more about us and how we can help you with your case.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Jamestown
I’m Ed Smith, a Jamestown personal injury lawyer. Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident caused by the negligence of someone else is devastating and heartbreaking. Families faced with such situations may have options for justice and financial compensation. If this has happened to you and your family, our law firm can help. To speak with one of our attorneys, contact us today to arrange a free case evaluation at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Our legal team is available anytime to go over the details regarding your situation and advise your family of the next steps to take. We handle cases under a contingency fee agreement meaning that we do not require any payment of attorney’s fees unless we obtain a successful outcome in your case.
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At our law firm, we believe that standing up for what is right through a personal injury or wrongful death case has meaning. It not only helps injured parties and families of decedents through tragic accidents but also serves to make the community safer. Passing safety forward is key in such cases. To see how we have helped others obtain favorable outcomes in their cases, head to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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