Man Killed in Pedestrian Accident in South Stockton
The San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the man who was killed in a pedestrian accident in the south Stockton area. The decedent, 26-year-old Devonte Jones, was walking in the area of Lincoln Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in south Stockton when he was hit by an oncoming vehicle at approximately 7:23 p.m. Upon the arrival of officers from the Stockton Police Department (Stockton PD), authorities located Mr. Jones and pronounced him deceased at the scene. The driver involved in the Stockton pedestrian accident stayed at the scene and cooperated with officials in the investigation.
Can a Family Seek Compensation in a Fatal Pedestrian Accident Case?
After a fatal pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver in south Stockton, the family of the decedent may have the legal right to file a wrongful death claim against the insurance company representing the at-fault party. The intention of a wrongful death action is to provide compensatory damages to surviving family members who depended on the deceased for financial and emotional support. If the driver responsible for the car-pedestrian accident has insufficient bodily injury liability coverage or none at all, survivors may have recourse through their insurance company if they have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) and their loved one was considered a member of their household. An experienced Stockton wrongful death attorney may file a UM or UIM claim on behalf of a decedent so long as they were not excluded from the policy.
What Types of Compensatory Damages are Awarded in Wrongful Death Cases?
In California, surviving children, domestic partners, and spouses are eligible to recover compensatory damages in a wrongful death action. Other close relatives, including the decedent’s stepchild, parent, putative spouse, or child of the putative spouse, may also be eligible for recovery of wrongful death damages. The amount of financial compensation awarded to survivors may vary in value from case to case. In general, the family of the deceased may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills incurred before the wrongful death
- Funeral expenses
- Lost future financial support, including wages, expected earnings, inheritance, and benefits
- Loss of companionship, care, and protection
The statute of limitations that applies to wrongful death lawsuits in California is two years. This means surviving family members have two years from the date of a loved one’s death to file their case with the court. To ensure you and your family receive the wrongful death settlement you deserve, it is essential to contact a Stockton personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling wrongful death cases within the two-year statute of limitations. For details on how to find the best attorney to handle your wrongful death claim, watch the video below.
Working with an Attorney on Your Fatal South Stockton Pedestrian Accident Case
The sudden loss of a close relative in a fatal accident can be a life-changing endeavor that no family deserves to ever go through. If the deadly incident was caused by the negligence of another party or entity, reaching out to a personal injury law firm in Stockton to manage the wrongful death claim may help relieve some of the tension and frustration from the loss. Our legal team at AutoAccident.com has handled wrongful death claims since 1982. Our injury attorneys can guide you and your family throughout the claims process to allow you all the time you need to adjust to your loss.
Personal Injury Attorney in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury attorney. The loss of a loved one is one of the most stressful and challenging events in life. When the life of a family member was taken because of someone else’s negligence, the grief can be unbearable. While a wrongful death claim cannot bring a lost loved one back, it can help compensate survivors in emotionally trying times. Reaching out to an attorney can be challenging, but hiring a lawyer early in the wrongful death claims process can allow you and your family to focus on healing and coming to terms with your loss. Our team of Stockton personal injury lawyers is available anytime to review your wrongful death case and answer your questions. Contact our law firm today for a complimentary consultation to receive our compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Our injury lawyers serve clients in Stockton and other areas of San Joaquin County and California.
For useful information to learn about our personal injury law firm, visit the links below:
We are proud members of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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