Pedestrian Accident Fatality Near Kerman
The California Highway Patrol reported a fatality in a vehicle versus pedestrian accident near Kerman in Fresno County on June 17, 2023. The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. on State Route 180 in the vicinity of Bishop Avenue. Officials indicated that the pedestrian was killed on Whitesbridge Avenue, a section of SR-180.
Details on the Pedestrian Accident Fatality Near Kerman
A preliminary release revealed that a man was walking in the area when he was allegedly struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian was then struck a second time by a car behind the first vehicle. The involved motorists stayed at the crash site and cooperated with CHP traffic officers in the investigation.
The injured party was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, where he was declared deceased. Officials have identified the decedent as 39-year-old Woodlake resident Jamie Cruz. Additional information on the pedestrian accident fatality near Kerman was unavailable.
Taking Legal Action in a Fatal Vehicle-Pedestrian Collision
Pedestrian accidents tend to be catastrophic in nature. That is attributed to a pedestrian’s lack of physical protection when hit by a car. Individuals on foot do not have the same level of protection that a motor vehicle occupant has – no airbags, no seat belts, etc. Injuries suffered in these types of traffic collisions tend to be severe and, in some extreme cases, fatal. If the incident was the result of driver error, a party injured in a pedestrian accident may have the right to bring a claim for damages against the negligent party. Similarly, decedents have the same right to hold the driver accountable for a loss of life.
Whether an individual was walking on the shoulder of the roadway, a sidewalk, or in a marked crosswalk, if a pedestrian is injured or killed by a negligent motorist in the state of California, the injured party or family of the decedent may be entitled to financial compensation. In the case of a fatal pedestrian crash, survivors may seek reimbursement from the insurer representing the at-fault party for funeral costs, mental anguish from the unexpected death, loss of financial support, loss of care, companionship, and protection, end-of-life treatment (via survival action), etc.
There is a deadline of two years to file a case in civil court for personal injury or wrongful death in California. Once the statute of limitations runs out, the claimant may be unable to take legal action against the at-fault party for an accident. For surviving family members, it is essential to seek out an experienced California wrongful death lawyer immediately. An attorney will protect a family’s rights, have their best interests at heart, and build the strongest case possible on their behalf. Our legal team has decades of combined experience handling these cases. Learn about our services in the video below.
Importance of Hiring an Attorney Immediately After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
Aside from the statute of limitations, surviving family members must consider the legal process and evidence. Evidence may be destroyed and lost, even unintentionally. Eyewitness accounts of the incident may fade over time. The insurance carrier may resort to defense tactics to devalue a claim or dismiss the case entirely. Immediate legal action puts surviving family members in the best position possible to obtain justice and full financial recovery. A skilled attorney will get to work quickly by gathering and preserving evidence, working with expert witnesses, and building a case for maximum compensation.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fresno
Innocent pedestrians suffer injuries and are killed in traffic collisions every day. Our legal team at AutoAccident.com has the knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to build a strong case for full compensation on your behalf. Call our Fresno wrongful death lawyers to receive free, friendly advice on your potential case at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400. Our law office operates on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients pay us nothing unless and until we obtain a successful result in their case through a settlement or verdict.
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