Fatal DUI Crash on SR-99 Near Selma
According to the California Highway Patrol, a motorist who was involved in a fatal two-car crash on SR-99 near Selma in Fresno County was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) at the time of the incident. The collision occurred on October 16, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m. on the southbound side of State Route 99 in the vicinity of Mountain View Avenue, officials reported.
Details on the Fatal DUI Crash on SR-99 Near Selma
A preliminary release indicated that a 61-year-old man was arrested in connection with the fatal car accident. It is alleged by investigators that the motorist’s level of alcohol intoxication led to his failure to avoid rear-ending an SUV. The impact of the collision reportedly propelled the vehicle off the roadway, causing it to strike a concrete barrier, CHP traffic officers said.
Three of the four occupants in the SUV were treated at an area hospital for unspecified injuries. Sadly, the fourth occupant in the SUV was declared deceased at the crash site. Officials have identified the decedent as Clovis resident Maria Trinidad Esquivel, age 71.
The motorist who allegedly rear-ended the SUV was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and booked into Fresno County Jail. An investigation into the fatal DUI crash on southbound SR-99 and Mountain View Avenue near Selma in Fresno County is ongoing.
Seeking Financial Compensation and Justice in DUI Car Accident Cases
If an individual has been injured or deprived of a loved one due to a crash in Fresno County or elsewhere in California, there is only one opportunity to seek compensation for damages incurred. As such, it is essential to retain legal counsel with experience handling personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from motor vehicle collisions. The right accident lawyer will know how to effectively manage the case, determine the full scope of the resulting losses, and seek the maximum compensation you may be entitled to receive under California law.
A bodily injury claim from a traffic collision can include past and future medical costs for crash-related injuries, past and future wage loss, out-of-pocket expenses for home/vehicle accommodations for permanent disability, pain and suffering, and more. A wrongful death action, on the other hand, may compensate survivors for the loss of financial support the deceased provided, loss of benefits through the decedent’s course of employment, mental anguish experienced due to the sudden loss of life, loss of companionship, funeral service costs, etc.
Punitive damages are rarely awarded in cases. As such, they are awarded at the court’s discretion. They serve the purpose of punishing the other party for extreme recklessness or egregious conduct that caused or contributed to a motor vehicle collision where injury or death occurred. These are separate from non-economic and economic damages. An example of the type of behavior that may result in punitive damages would be a car accident where the other driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the moments leading up to the incident.
Is There Enough Insurance for a Car Accident Case Involving Injury or Death?
California law requires that motorists purchase liability insurance that meets the minimum requirements of $15,000 per bodily injury or death to one individual, $30,000 per crash, and $5,000 in property damage coverage. However, such limits may prove insufficient for many injury and fatal accidents. As such, it is essential to carry additional protection under your insurance policy through uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Your California personal injury lawyer will also explore other avenues of financial recovery to ensure that you are fully compensated for accident-related losses.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fresno
With decades of combined experience, the legal team at AutoAccident.com is committed to assisting every client to rebuild their lives, obtain justice, and secure the deserved financial compensation in personal injury and wrongful death cases we handle. If you need an experienced Fresno wrongful death lawyer for your car accident case, look no further. We are here to protect your rights and have your best interests at heart. Give us a call to discuss your potential case in detail today at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400. We are available to provide free, friendly case advice.
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