Oakdale Boy Killed After Car Accident Near Denair
A 7-year-old Oakdale boy was killed after a car accident just southeast of Denair in Merced County on the night of Sunday, August 23, 2020. The fatal auto crash occurred at Oakdale Road and Turlock Road around 9:20 p.m. and involved three vehicles. A 28-year-old Oakdale resident was driving a 2011 Cadillac SUV northbound on Oakdale Road, approaching the intersection. At the same time, a 35-year-old Ripon man was driving a 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck southbound on Oakdale Road, waiting for the driver of the Cadillac to pass before turning onto Turlock Road. The third vehicle involved in the car wreck, a 2013 Ford Fusion, was driven by a 58-year-old Coulterville woman headed eastbound on Turlock Road. A preliminary report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) suggested that the Ford driver stopped at the intersection and pulled out into the direct path of the oncoming Cadillac, resulting in a collision with all three cars.
Medical Response for Oakdale Residents Injured in the Denair Car Accident
Emergency crews were called to the scene to transport the driver of the Cadillac and his front-seat passenger, a 25-year-old woman also from Oakdale, to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto for treatment of serious injuries. Two of three children in the Cadillac, a 2-year-old boy, and a 4-year-old girl, suffered moderate injuries in the auto accident and were taken to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera. First responders performed CPR on the third child, a 7-year-old Oakdale boy, at the scene. He was transported to Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, where he later succumbed to his injuries. A GoFundMe page has been created on behalf of the Drake family to help cover medical bills and funeral services resulting from this tragic accident.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim and How Can it Help Our Family?
When a member of the family is lost in a wrongful death car accident, the at-fault party should be held financially accountable for their negligence. Our accident lawyers understand that a wrongful death settlement will not bring back a loved one or undo the pain that has been caused, but it can be a resource that helps ease financial hardship, which can be needed the most during the grieving process.
A wrongful death claim is intended to compensate survivors for emotional and financial losses. In California, a wrongful death case may seek recovery of economic and non-economic damages. These include end of life medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, mental anguish, and loss of affection and companionship. Relatives who are given priority when filing a wrongful death action are surviving spouses, domestic partners, or children. Other surviving family members who may be eligible for recovery of wrongful death damages are listed in the California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. These include a putative spouse, stepchild, parent, or child of the putative spouse who has survived the decedent. For more information on who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in California, watch the video below.
How a Lawyer Can Help Your Family Through the Wrongful Death Claims Process
A wrongful death claim will consider all aspects of a child’s life, including age, health, and life expectancy. It may also take into account the impact a child’s life has had on their family in terms of intangible damages like loss of companionship, love, and society. However, not all auto insurance companies see it this way, and will often dispute the value or validity of a wrongful death case to protect their profit margin.
All details of a wrongful death case may not seem clear to surviving family members, which is where an experienced Oakdale wrongful death lawyer may be able to help with such aspects they may have not considered. At AutoAccident.com, our accident attorneys can help seek justice and compensation on behalf of your family and your child, who lost their life unfairly in a motor vehicle collision. Contact us today to learn how we can help you and your family through this difficult time.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Oakdale
I’m Ed Smith, an Oakdale personal injury lawyer. No parent ever wants to think about the tragic event of losing a child in a car accident. Unfortunately, fatal crashes can occur, and when they do, you and your family need guidance on how to obtain justice and compensation from the at-fault party. I can help you and your family with the wrongful death claims process so you all can focus on what matters most: recovering from your loss together without financial or legal worry. Call me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to learn more and receive my compassionate, free, and friendly advice on how to get started on your wrongful death case today.
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