Update | Two Killed in Head-On Collision on Highway 180 in Fresno County

Fatal Head-On Collision on Alta Avenue

On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, a fatal head-on collision occurred on Alta Avenue and Highway 180 in Fresno County. According to the California Highway Patrol, the car wreck occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. and involved two vehicles described as a Chevrolet pickup truck and a Jeep Liberty.

Information on the Fatal Head-On Collision on Alta Avenue

Officials in a preliminary release indicated that the Jeep and the Chevrolet were involved in a head-on collision on Highway 180 near Frankwood Avenue and Alta Avenue. The Chevrolet driver, a 44-year-old Woodlake man, sustained moderate injuries. The two juvenile passengers in the Chevrolet were uninjured in the crash, CHP traffic officials said.

Sadly, the Jeep driver, Joe Alvarez, 33, of Fresno, succumbed to his injuries at the crash site. A juvenile passenger in the Jeep, a 13-year-old, suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital via air ambulance. The 13-year-old was declared deceased during hospitalization. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Alvarez family.

What is Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death claim is a civil action against an individual or entity whose negligent or careless actions led to the demise of another party. In the case of a head-on collision, a claim for damages may be brought against the motorist or entity responsible for the incident. There may be some situations where the driver lacks auto insurance or does not have enough coverage to pay for wrongful death damages. In these scenarios, surviving family members may turn to their deceased loved one’s auto insurance if they have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Wrongful death cases are intended to seek compensation from the at-fault party and provide survivors the means to rebuild their lives after the tragedy. It provides financial support for surviving family members who have incurred unexpected losses, such as costs of funeral services, loss of the deceased’s earnings that were contributed to the family household, loss of benefits, costs of end-of-life care (via survival action), and more. Wrongful death actions also seek reimbursement for intangible harm, such as mental anguish and loss of support, care, and companionship. For more information, watch this video.

Which Family Members Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Under California Law?

The law in California specifies which close relatives have priority for filing a lawsuit for wrongful death in civil court. Under CCP 377.60, these usually include the spouse, domestic partner, or children of the deceased individual. In the case that the decedent does not have a surviving child, domestic partner, or spouse, then the parents, putative spouse, stepchildren, and other relatives who depended on the deceased for financial support may be eligible to file a claim for damages. Determine your eligibility for filing by scheduling a free consultation with a skilled California wrongful death attorney.

Wrongful Death Lawyer in California

At AutoAccident.com, our legal team understands that the unexpected loss of a close relative is painful and never easy. It may be more challenging to come to terms with when it was caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence. Our dedicated and compassionate California wrongful death lawyers have served Fresno County and its surrounding communities since 1982. We are here to provide compassion, support, and expert guidance throughout the process as we seek justice and full compensation for you and your family. Our law firm handles all types of accident cases, including motor vehicle collisions.

Our law office offers free case evaluations and operates on contingency. This means that our clients do not pay for legal services unless we secure a successful result in their case through a verdict or settlement. Learn more about our injury attorneys and how we can help you by setting up a meeting at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to offer free, friendly case advice. Before reaching out to our legal team, we invite you to browse our former client ratings on Yelp, Avvo, and Google. We are proud California section members of the Top 1 Percent and Million Dollar Advocates.

Photo Credit: “HakanErenler” Pexels

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