Passenger Killed After Car Crash in Brentwood
A passenger was killed, and a driver was injured after a car crash in the city of Brentwood on August 6, 2020. The Contra Costa California Highway Patrol (CHP) was notified around 10:40 p.m. of a single-vehicle collision on eastbound Highway 4 in the vicinity of Sand Creek Road. A preliminary investigation by the CHP revealed that the driver of a green Dodge Challenger, a 27-year-old man from Antioch, was driving eastbound on SR-4 when the vehicle veered off the road for unknown reasons. The Dodge allegedly crashed into a freeway sign and a guardrail.
Upon the arrival of first responders, both occupants of the vehicle involved in the solo car collision were taken via air ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Sadly, the passenger in the car, 26-year-old Justin Racht of Antioch, passed away during hospitalization. A GoFundMe page has been created on behalf of Mr. Justin Racht and his family to help cover his funeral expenses.
Loss of a Loved One in a Brentwood Car Crash
The loss of a close relative is devastating for any family to experience. In California, when a loved one is killed due to the recklessness or negligence of someone else, it may be considered wrongful death under the law. In such situations, the family of the deceased may be eligible for damages through a wrongful death claim. The purpose of these cases is to compensate survivors for the emotional and financial harms they have suffered as a result of their loved one’s wrongful death. Some of the economic and non-economic damages recovered through these cases include:
- Expenses for medical treatment received by the deceased after the auto crash before they passed away (this is generally recovered through a survival action)
- Funeral and burial costs
- Income, future earnings, benefits, and inheritance the decedent would have provided to the family if not for the wrongful death car accident
- Lost companionship, affection, and care for surviving family members
- Punitive damages if there was egregious conduct on the part of the negligent individual (e.g., excessive speeding or DUI)
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
Specific survivors are entitled to wrongful death damages from the party or entity responsible for a loved one’s wrongful death. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children of the deceased have priority when it comes to recovering damages in a wrongful death claim. If these family members are non-existent, others may be able to bring a claim. This includes the putative spouse, stepchildren, parents, or children of the putative spouse who survived the deceased. The types of damages available through these cases will depend upon the relationship between the surviving family member and the decedent. For more details on who can bring a wrongful death lawsuit in California, watch the video below.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Loved One’s Wrongful Death
The loss of a loved one is one of the most painful experiences a family can go through in life. If you have experienced the death of a relative, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. At AutoAccident.com, we understand the financial and emotional devastations a loved one’s sudden death has on surviving family members. When the loss was caused by the negligence or carelessness of another, our Brentwood wrongful death lawyers can help you through this difficult time by handling all aspects of your case.
After a wrongful death car accident, you may be contacted by the at-fault party’s insurance company. This includes their insurance claims adjusters and defense attorneys. Insurance carriers often ask for recorded phone conversations in which they may ask questions that may misconstrue your words and facts in your case. If you hire our legal team to represent you and your family, we will handle all communications and negotiations with the insurer on your behalf. This way, you and your family are not taken advantage of by the insurance company, and their defense tactics used to decrease the value of your claim or deny it altogether.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Brentwood
I’m Ed Smith, a Brentwood personal injury lawyer. Losing someone you love in a car accident is heartbreaking, especially if it was caused by the wrongdoing of someone else. If you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle collision, give me a call at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400. I will evaluate your wrongful death case and provide you with free, friendly legal advice on how to recover the full and fair compensation to which you and your family may be entitled to.
See our list of past case results and client comments at the links below:
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