Passenger Killed After Fresno County Car Accident
A passenger was killed, and three others were injured after a car accident in Fresno County on the morning of February 20, 2020. The crash involved two vehicles and occurred at the intersection of Zediker Avenue and Dinuba Avenue near Parlier, CA. One of the drivers reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck on the front passenger side by another car, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Both vehicles sustained severe damage. A total of three parties, including the driver and two passengers of the car that was broadsided, were transported to area hospitals for treatment of moderate to serious injuries. Sadly, one of the passengers, a 56-year-old woman, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Officials have withheld her identity until her family has been notified.
Loss of a Loved One After a Car Accident in Fresno County
When a loved one’s life has been cut unexpectedly short due to the negligence of someone else, the family that person leaves behind often faces emotional and financial hardship. In many fatal car accident cases, the decedent may have been a primary provider for their family, which may leave their relatives wondering how they will be able to survive without their loved one’s financial support. While this may be a traumatic experience for the family affected, that family needs to know what rights they have to recover damages through a wrongful death claim. While no amount of money can bring back a loved one or undo the pain, compensation from a wrongful death case can help provide and secure a family’s future, as well as hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Claim?
After the loss of a loved one in a car crash, surviving family members may have suffered financial and emotional damages. California law recognizes this and allows survivors with the option to recover economic and noneconomic damages through a wrongful death claim. This type of case is intended to compensate families affected by wrongful death for the following areas of loss:
- Loss of Companionship, Love, and Moral Support: A surviving family member of a decedent may be able to seek damages for the loss of that loved one’s affection, guidance, and society.
- Lost Financial Support: Any income or benefits that a loved one would have earned and provided to their family may be recovered. This may also include loss of future wages and salary, as well as health insurance and pension.
- Medical Bills: A wrongful death claim may include recovery for any expenses a decedent has incurred for accident-related medical treatment. These are generally recovered through a survival action.
- Out of Pocket Expenses: Any bills that are paid out of pocket as a result of a wrongful death car accident are recoverable. These may include funeral and burial expenses.
- Punitive Damages: These are generally not covered by car insurance companies. Instead, they are sought from negligent drivers to punish them for egregious misconduct like driving under the influence or excessive speeding.
Understanding how a wrongful death case works may be challenging, especially when dealing with the loss of someone you love. For a brief summary of these types of cases, please take the time to watch the video below.
Who Can File for Wrongful Death in California?
In California, when a loved one’s death is caused by the neglect or wrongful act of someone else, particular relatives are entitled to wrongful death benefits. This may include the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children of the decedent. Others may be permitted to file a wrongful death action if such parties are nonexistent. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, surviving parents, putative spouses, stepchildren, or children of the putative spouse may also be eligible to file for wrongful death. To determine whether you are eligible to bring a wrongful death case, contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer from Fresno today.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno wrongful death lawyer. There is nothing that can prepare a family for the unexpected loss of a close relative. When that loss is caused by the negligence of another, it is often challenging to understand why this happened. An experienced wrongful death lawyer from Fresno can not only shed light on the situation and answer the family’s questions but also recover the financial compensation they need and deserve. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, please call me at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my compassionate, free, and friendly advice.
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At our personal injury law firm, we are dedicated to providing each and every family we represent with the compassionate and experienced representation they deserve. To see how we have helped other families with their personal injury and wrongful death cases, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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