One Killed in Turlock Car Accident
One person was killed, and another was injured in a Turlock car accident on the early evening of July 30, 2019. The car wreck occurred around 4:15 p.m. at the intersection of Walnut Road and Bradbury Road, just south of Turlock. A 2017 Toyota Camry was headed southbound on Walnut Road when it was involved in a collision with a Toyota Tacoma pickup. A preliminary report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) suggested that the front of the Tacoma collided with the driver’s side of the Camry. Both vehicles were propelled into a metal cable fence and wood post. The Camry continued for a short time and crashed into an almond tree. The driver of the Tacoma, a 58-year-old Hughson woman, was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Sadly, the Camry driver, a 42-year-old Turlock man, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The identity of the decedent has been withheld by officials due to pending notification of their family members. We would like to express our heartfelt thoughts and sympathy to the loved ones of the decedent during this difficult time.
Loss of a Family Member in a Turlock Car Accident
Losing a loved one in an accident is devastating, particularly when that loss could have been prevented in the first place. Feelings of anger and depression may come from such life-altering situations. This may compound the grieving process, making it unbearable and stressful. While these feelings are normal to experience, they do require time to recover from.
What Are Wrongful Death Damages?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, the family of the decedent may bring a wrongful death claim against those responsible for their loved one’s death. With assistance from an experienced Turlock wrongful death attorney, you can recover economic and noneconomic damages for:
- Costs of funeral and burial services may be claimed by the relative who paid them
- Expenses for end of life medical care received by the decedent before they passed away
- Loss of guidance and training that a deceased parent would have provided
- Lost future financial support, inheritance, and benefits such as pension or medical insurance
- Loss of assistance, love, protection, and society provided by the decedent
- Mental anguish and emotional pain suffered by surviving family members
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
For more details on wrongful death cases, watch the below video.
Is There a Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death?
In California, there are strict deadlines that must be met for filing a wrongful death action. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations, which is two years for wrongful death. However, special rules may apply in cases involving government entities. Wrongful death cases brought against government agencies must be filed within six months or 180 days from the date of the person’s death. Once it has passed, the case may be dismissed by the court, and the right to recover wrongful death damages may be lost.
Why Do We Need a Lawyer?
The loss of a loved one in a wrongful death car accident can leave surviving family members with immense shock and grief. In times like these, families need to focus on mourning and coming to terms with their loss. However, families also need to consider their legal rights and options since insurance companies might take advantage of their vulnerable situation. Insurance claims adjusters may find any possible excuse to reduce how much they pay for a claim or even deny it altogether. This is why it is critical to have an experienced attorney at your side. A lawyer can help guide a family through the legal complexities of the case with the support and care they need in their time of loss and grief.
Turlock Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock personal injury lawyer. There are few experiences as tragic as suffering injuries or losing someone you love in a car accident. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an auto accident caused by the negligence of someone else, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly case advice.
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I belong to many legal groups, including the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates. The first group admits attorneys who provide their clients with high standards of legal excellence. The other forum permits membership to lawyers who have won over $1 million for a client.
Since 1982, I have helped families of Turlock recover fair compensation for their personal injury and wrongful death claims. To see how our law office has helped out prior clients with their cases, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Credit: By “StockSnap” via Pixabay
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