Forty Mile Road Fatal Car Accident Occurs Near Intersection
A fatal car accident was reported southwest of Wheatland on May 27 following a collision between two vehicles. The crash happened shortly before 8:00 a.m. near the intersection of Forty Mile and Wheatland roads, between a Ford sedan and a Dodge pickup. Debris was strewn on the roadway, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) called emergency responders with the Yolo County Fire Department to the scene to assess one unconscious person.
Cause of Fatal Car Accident Being Determined
The pickup had gone down an embankment and had to be brought back up to the roadway. The Ford sedan sustained major front-end damage, and the driver died at the scene. The deceased individual’s identity will not be released until the county coroner’s office has notified the family. A determination of how the accident happened and fault is underway by CHP traffic investigators.
Negligence and Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
When a loved one dies due to the negligence or careless behavior of another person or party, the survivors may have legal recourse in filing a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims are civil suits that seek financial compensation from the responsible party for their actions that resulted in an untimely and preventable death. Although the family’s grief won’t be eased, by filing a claim, they can avoid the financial distress that often accompanies a sudden death and obtain justice knowing the guilty party is being held responsible.
Obtaining the Proof of a Wrongful Death
To file a successful wrongful death claim following a fatal car accident, it is important to prove that the at-fault party acted negligently and breached a duty of care they owed to the deceased individual. This can be done by showing evidence of recklessness or intentional misconduct on behalf of the at-fault party, such as driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, distracted driving, or other types of negligence.
Compensation Recovery in a Fatal Car Accident
Wages and the age of the deceased are among the factors that determine compensation recovery. It is possible, however, for immediate family members (spouses and children) to recover damages for:
- The funeral and burial expenses are reimbursable.
- Up to the time the deceased loved one would have retired, their earnings can be reclaimed. The benefits can include pensions, insurance, bonuses, and tips, as well as any other income they usually receive.
- Loss of consortium, emotional support, and love may be claimed by the deceased’s spouse.
- A claim for the loss of parenting, guidance, and nurturing may be filed by children (including adopted children or stepchildren who received half their support from the decedent).
- It can be claimed that the family lost household help because they now have to pay or find someone else to do the tasks that the decedent used to do regularly.
Accident lawyer Ed Smith suggests the following tips for choosing an attorney if you are considering hiring one:
Wheatland Personal Injury Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, and I’m a Wheatland personal injury lawyer. The family can help avoid financial stress and obtain justice for their loss by filing a wrongful death claim when a loved one has died due to someone else’s negligence. Feel free to contact an accident attorney with our firm at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 if you need compassionate, free and friendly advice. We can also be reached online.
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Photo attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLQ8I1W1gR8&t=10s; Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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