Motorcyclists Killed in a Deadly Sacramento Accident Identified
Two people killed in a deadly accident along Highway 50 on October 21 have been identified as Brooke Johnson and Ryan Hendricks, both aged 20. The accident occurred just days before Johnson’s 21st birthday. The young couple left behind a little girl, age 5, and a GoFundMe site has been established for the child. The case is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to determine how it occurred. An arrest has not been made in the incident.
Details of the Accident
The couple, who was riding a motorcycle at the time of the crash, were struck by a Nissan along the highway when the driver, 17, lost control of the vehicle. According to the report issued by the CHP, the vehicle crossed over multiple lanes and stopped in the path of the motorcycle, facing toward them. There was insufficient time for Hendricks to evade the vehicle or stop to avoid the deadly accident. When the motorcycle struck the Nissan, both riders were ejected from the bike and died from their injuries. The teenager driving the Nissan was reported as not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Loss of Parents by a Child
Losing one or both parents in a sudden death disrupts a child’s foundation. A young child cannot understand why their parents will not be coming home. Often this leads to feelings of abandonment, fear and sadness. The child does not understand why she or he feels this way, nor do they understand grief. All they know is that the people who cared for them and comforted them are no longer there. When both parents die in a catastrophic accident, family members and friends often rally around to help. If the parents picked someone to care for the child if something happened to them, their wisdom will allow the child to find comfort in their care.
Guardianship of a Child After the Parents Die
When the parents die, there is no longer the question of custody of a small child. Rather, the question is who will become the guardian of the child. Guardianship, in this sense, makes it legally possible for a person to take over caring for a minor child. If someone is seeking to be the child’s guardian, they will need to file a claim for this with the court. Alternately, if the parents named a guardian in their will, the court will approve it in most cases. Sometimes, two guardians will be chosen in case one of them becomes ill or dies themselves. Ultimately, with or without a will, it is the court that makes the final decision.
Wrongful Death Claims After the Demise of Both Parents
If the parent’s death was caused by another’s negligence, usually, family members such as a spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents can file a wrongful death lawsuit. When the surviving person is a minor, it is best to speak with an experienced attorney to learn how the claim should be structured.
What an Accident Attorney Can Do for You
In a tragic time, the family of the deceased needs the help that a seasoned injury attorney can bring. We’ve helped many families find justice in a challenging situation. The first thing that needs to be done is to establish the fact that negligence occurred. We send our investigative team to the accident site to search for evidence that can do this. We interview witnesses, obtain video camera footage of the crash from several sources, and review police reports for inaccuracies. Once this information is accumulated, we release it to our legal team, who uses it to build a strong case.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. Losing a loved one is a tragedy, and even more so when a negligent driver was the cause. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or at my long-distance line at (800) 404-5400 for my free and friendly advice. An online contact form is also available.
For the past 37 years, I’ve helped those in Northern California obtain the compensation they deserve. This includes areas such as traumatic injuries, different varieties of car accidents, and cases that involve government entities.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/roses-morning-mist-cemetery-61203/
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