Modesto Man Killed in Keyes Canal Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto wrongful death lawyer. A local man was left with fatal injuries after his vehicle crashed through a concrete barrier and landed in a canal west of Keyes on July 2, 2018. At approximately 4:50 in the afternoon, a man was traveling northbound in a 1995 Honda Civic along South Carpenter Road in the vicinity of East Monte Vista Avenue at an unknown rate of speed. The man reportedly allowed his vehicle to drift onto the east shoulder of the roadway, causing his vehicle to crash through the concrete canal bridge barrier and end up partially submerged in the water. Medical personnel provided extrication to remove the man out of his vehicle and transported him to an area hospital where he was, unfortunately, pronounced deceased a short time later. Officials have identified the victim as 21-year-old Alverto Rodriguez of Modesto.
I would like to send my thoughts of sympathy to the friends and family of Mr. Rodriguez during this difficult time.
Accident Investigation
The cause of the fatal accident has not yet been determined by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as an investigation is still underway. CHP reported that the victim was wearing his safety belt at the time of the collision and do not believe alcohol or drugs contributed to the accident.
Loved One Forever Remembered
Alverto Rodriguez was a beloved member of his family. He is remembered by those who surrounded him for his cheerful, vibrant and kindhearted soul. A GoFundMe account has been created to help the family of Mr. Rodriguez to bring him to his final resting place.
Single Vehicle Accidents
Single vehicle accidents can happen for a wide array of reasons. These accidents are often presumed to be the result of driver error. However, that is not always the case. There are other causes that can lead to a single vehicle accident and result in serious injury or even wrongful death. These causes may include:
- Motorists who fail to obey traffic laws can cause unsafe driving conditions for others on the road;
- Roads that are improperly maintained are a common cause of single vehicle accidents. State and local agencies are typically liable for road maintenance as well as making sure roadway signage is visible and properly indicate hazardous conditions ahead like sharp turns. In the case of a road defect causing an accident, a claim may be brought against a government entity for resulting damages;
- Tire defects, brake failure or other mechanical issues can cause an accident or wrongful death. In these types of cases, the manufacturer of the vehicle part may be held financially liable for the collision and subsequent death;
- When another car causes a vehicle’s driver to veer off the roadway and crash, that motorist may be held responsible for the accident. If that motorist cannot be identified, this would be considered as a phantom vehicle accident if that party’s vehicle did not make physical contact with the victim’s car.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death in California is defined as the loss of a life due to a wrongful act or negligence by another party or entity. When this happens, surviving family members of the decedent may file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party for financial losses they suffered as a result of their loved one’s untimely demise. This type of civil lawsuit can also be used to compensate expenses related to an individual’s death such as:
- Costs of a funeral and burial;
- Benefits lost such as pension the decedent would have received had he or she lived;
- In the case of a spouse or partner, loss of consortium;
- Loss of companionship, emotional support, guidance, and love;
- Lost inheritance;
- Emotional distress and mental anguish resulting from the death;
- Services that were provided by the decedent like cooking, paying bills, yard work, preparation of tax returns and tending to children;
- End-of-life hospital costs may be recovered in a survival action if the decedent was a live for a time preceding death.
Watch YouTube Video – By: Attorney Ed Smith – What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
To learn more on wrongful death cases and who is eligible to file these types of claims, watch this informative video below.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
When a member in your family passes away, the process of moving forward and trying to understand all the things that need to be done can be extremely difficult. It can be even harder when the death was sudden and occurred as a result of someone else’s negligence. If this has happened in your family, it is important to contact a wrongful death attorney in Modesto to determine whether you are eligible to bring a claim for your loved one’s death.
Modesto Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto wrongful death lawyer. The loss of a loved one is devastating, especially when that loss was caused by the negligence of someone else. While no amount of compensation can replace the life of someone you love, recovering financial restitution may prove crucial in making ends meet when that loved one’s support is suddenly withdrawn. If this has happened in your family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Please feel free to contact me any time at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive compassionate, free and friendly advice.
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A list of our past cases and their outcomes are available on our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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