Four Killed After Crash in Amador County
Four people were killed after a motor vehicle crash in Amador County, CA, on the afternoon of Thursday, July 23, 2020. The single-vehicle accident occurred around 2:15 p.m. on Latrobe Road in the vicinity of South Shingle Road. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the driver of an unidentified vehicle reportedly veered over a double yellow line to overtake two cars. While doing so, the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway, and crashed into a field. The impact of the collision caused the car to catch fire. Sadly, all four occupants in the car passed away. No further information about the fatal incident has yet been provided.
Loss of a Loved One Due to a Wrongful Death Car Accident
The loss of a close relative after a car accident is devastating for any family to experience. A wrongful death claim may arise as a result of a fatal motor vehicle collision caused by negligence. California law provides for various types of monetary damages when a loved one has been lost to wrongful death. While coming to terms with the loss of a close relative can be challenging, and no amount of money can undo the pain that has been caused, an experienced Ione wrongful death attorney can advocate on behalf of a family to obtain justice and financial compensation they all deserve.
What Types of Damages are Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Case?
When the negligence or carelessness of someone else causes the sudden death of a close relative, the loss can change the lives of the family left behind. In California, a wrongful death action is a means to compensate surviving family members for the loss of a loved one that has been killed in a fatal accident due to the negligent actions of another. It is a way to hold at-fault parties financially accountable for their wrongdoing. In a wrongful death case, a family may be entitled to financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Costs of medical treatment resulting from the final injury suffered in the fatal motor vehicle accident.
- Expenses for funeral and burial services may be recovered by the relative who paid for them.
- Loss of parental guidance and training if the decedent was a parent of a minor child
- Lost affection, companionship, and protection
- The value of benefits, future financial support, and inheritance the decedent would have provided to the family if not for the wrongful death car accident (this may be estimated by an economist retained by an attorney for a wrongful death case).
If your family has been affected by a loved one’s wrongful death and would like to learn more about the claims process, watch the video below:
Insurance Coverage for Loved Ones Killed in an Amador County Car Crash
In single-vehicle accident cases, the driver who was behind the wheel of the car is generally responsible for losses incurred. Families who have lost loved ones as passengers in these types of crashes may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. However, if multiple passengers were killed, and the driver has minimum state bodily injury liability coverage or none at all, this may put surviving family members in a financial predicament. This is especially true if survivors are dealing with end of life medical expenses and funeral and burial bills in their time of loss. Under these circumstances, a family may bring an uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage claim against their loved one’s insurance company for resulting damages.
If the decedent did not have their own auto insurance plan but lived with someone who has uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, a claim may be made against that policy. Surviving family members may have this option for recovery so long as the decedent was not excluded from the car insurance plan. Keep in mind that insurance claims adjusters are not always fair when it comes to providing the compensation a family needs in their time of loss and often use this difficult situation to their advantage by offering a low-ball settlement offer. A car accident lawyer in Ione can negotiate for full and fair compensation with both your own insurance company and that of the at-fault party.
Other Parties Responsible for a Single-Vehicle Accident
In other cases of single-vehicle accidents, the fatal incident may have been caused by road defects or faulty vehicles. In these situations, the family of the decedent may be able to make a wrongful death claim against the government entity responsible for the design and maintenance of the road. However, these types of cases are often challenging due to issues surrounding government immunity. An Ione wrongful death lawyer should be contacted for legal assistance since a notice of claim must be brought against the government agency within six months or 180 days of the accidental death, or else the case will be dismissed. Auto products liability claims involving defective vehicle parts and equipment, resulting in wrongful death, may also be challenging to handle. It is best to work with an experienced attorney in these situations to ensure all aspects of your claim are appropriately managed.
Car Accident Lawyer in Ione
I’m Ed Smith, an Ione car accident lawyer. If your family has lost a loved one in a car accident as a result of the negligence of someone else, contact me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to discuss your case. I am available anytime to provide you my free, friendly advice on your options for recovery and how to move forward from your loss.
Our past case results and client ratings and reviews are available at these links below:
I am proud to be listed as a California member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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