One Killed in Crash on SR-4 in Antioch
One person was killed, and four others were injured following a crash on SR-4 in the Antioch area on the night of Sunday, May 8, 2022. The incident took place on eastbound State Route 4 and was said to have involved one vehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Details on the Crash on SR-4 in Antioch That Killed One Person
A preliminary report revealed that a blue Chrysler PT Cruiser was headed eastbound on Highway 4 when the vehicle veered to the right and off the roadway. CHP traffic officers indicated that the Chrysler overturned with five occupants inside.
Officials said that the 42-year-old female driver suffered injuries described as life-threatening in the single-vehicle accident. There were two young children who suffered serious injuries and a 19-year-old man with minor trauma. Sadly, the fifth occupant, a 21-year-old man, later succumbed to his injuries during hospitalization. His name has been withheld due to pending family notification.
The Chrysler driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI. However, the motorist was later released to the hospital for treatment of accident-related injuries. Those with information on the fatal car accident are encouraged to contact the CHP area office in Martinez.
What is a Wrongful Death Action, and How Can it Help Survivors?
When faced with the tragedy of losing someone you love in an accident, it may be challenging and overwhelming. Those going through such situations may find themselves at a loss as they may face a long road ahead of them, all while doing their best to cope with grief and be there to support their family. If someone else is to blame for the loss of life, surviving family members may be entitled to financial recovery for their damages. The process generally involves working with the insurance company representing the at-fault party and bringing a claim. There are some unique situations where a claim may be filed through the deceased individual’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage if the other side did not have liability coverage at the time of the crash or has insufficient policy limits to pay for resulting losses.
A wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within the statute of limitations if the case has not yet been settled with the at-fault party and their insurance company. There is generally a two-year deadline that applies to these cases, as stated in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. It may be reduced to 180 days in those cases involving public agencies. Failure to meet the deadline may result in the loss of the right to recover compensatory damages. That is why it is recommended to retain legal counsel for a fatal car accident case. The sooner you hire an experienced accident attorney, the better your chances of being fairly compensated for the undue harm you and your family have gone through. While a wrongful death claim cannot undo the pain and sorrow of losing a close relative, it may help provide a sense of justice, knowing that the other side will be paying the price for their actions. For more information on these cases, watch this video.
What Types of Losses are Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Case?
The losses associated with the death of a close relative in a motor vehicle collision may be substantial. Economic and non-economic damages may include but are not limited to mental anguish, loss of companionship, future lost earnings, loss of benefits, and costs of funeral services. Expenses for the treatment of the decedent’s final injuries may also be sought through a survival action. Recovering such damages is not always straightforward as it may require testimony from experts in the field to establish their respective values. Conversely, the process of seeking punitive damages from the at-fault party for their egregious actions like DUI or excessive speeding may also be challenging to navigate. This, along with strict filing criteria and deadlines, is one of the many reasons why it is essential to work with an experienced Antioch wrongful death lawyer. An attorney may help simplify the process for you and your family making it less stressful and overwhelming as you all focus on grieving and recovering from your loss.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Antioch
I’m Ed Smith, an Antioch personal injury lawyer. There is no greater tragedy than losing someone you love unexpectedly. When the loss occurred because of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds to take legal action against them in the form of a wrongful death claim. Remember that there is a limited amount of time to bring a case in California, and our law firm will be here anytime to help you and your family through the process. Give us a call today to discuss your case in detail and receive compassionate, free, and friendly advice from one of our lawyers at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400.
It may be challenging to find the best injury attorney in your area to handle your case when there are so many to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews by former clients can help narrow down your search. Ours is available for your reference at these sites:
We have worked hard to secure successful resolutions in cases handled on behalf of our clients. We are proudly included in these groups as California members:
Our law firm is comprised of lawyers with decades of experience handling personal injury and wrongful death matters. Having handled many accident cases in Contra Costa County and across the state of California, we understand what grieving surviving family members endure, and we are committed to providing their cases with the utmost care and compassion they deserve. See how we have helped other families with their wrongful death car accident cases by taking a moment to visit our Settlements and Verdicts page.
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