Pedestrian Fatality Reported on Ashlan
On Monday, April 24, 2023, the Fresno Police Department reported one fatality and one injured party in a car versus pedestrian collision on Ashlan Avenue close to Highway 41. The incident occurred shortly after 1:00 a.m., according to officials in Fresno.
Information on the Pedestrian Fatality Reported on Ashlan Avenue in Fresno
A preliminary release revealed that a 39-year-old woman was driving in the area and allegedly crashed into a tent occupied by two individuals. Both parties were transported to the hospital in critical condition. Sadly, one of the pedestrians, Brianna Bitten, 30, of Fresno, succumbed to her injuries during hospitalization. A recent update revealed that the second pedestrian, Kathy Esqueda, 61, of Fresno, passed away from her injuries.
The driver involved in the pedestrian accident attempted to flee the scene on foot. She was later detained near Ashlan Avenue and Blackstone Avenue. Officials booked the motorist into Fresno County Jail on charges of felony driving under the influence and murder. Additional information on the pedestrian fatality reported on Ashlan Avenue in Fresno was unavailable.
Financial Recovery in a Vehicle Versus Pedestrian Collision Case
Injuries in a pedestrian accident tend to be traumatic or even fatal due to the lack of physical protection against a motor vehicle. If the incident was the result of motorist error, a claim for damages may be filed against the driver and their insurer. An injured party may be eligible to receive reimbursement for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and other losses in connection with the crash and their injuries. There must be clear and compelling evidence demonstrating that reported injuries were the result of the traffic collision and not from another cause.
In cases where a loss of life occurs, families may have grounds for a claim for wrongful death. The goal of a wrongful death action is to compensate survivors for their emotional and financial losses. In California, this type of case can seek economic and non-economic damages for loss of companionship, mental anguish, lost income, funeral costs, medical bills for final injuries (via survival action), and more. In cases where there is egregious conduct involved, like DUI, claimants may seek punitive damages from the defendant to punish them for their behavior.
Given the severity of injuries from car versus pedestrian collisions, there may be a concern regarding sufficient liability coverage. This is especially true when permanent injury or a loss of life is involved. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may come into play when an at-fault driver has minimal or no liability insurance. If the pedestrian does not carry UM and UIM protection but resides with a family member who does, a claim may be brought under that policy. For more information, contact an experienced injury attorney. Learn how our legal team can help you by watching the video below.
Personal Injury Lawyer in California
When an individual is injured, or a family is deprived of a close relative due to a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent motorist, the responsible party should pay for the consequences of their actions. This is possible through a claim for damages against the negligent driver and their insurance carrier. However, insurers are not always fair when it comes to a settlement for a bodily injury or wrongful death claim. Level the playing field and retain legal counsel to protect your rights and best interests as an injured party or a surviving family member following an accident.
At AutoAccident.com, we understand that no amount of money can bring a loved one back. However, compensation can be a resource that helps surviving family members minimize financial hardship from the unexpected loss of a loved one and help them rebuild their futures. Our California personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping injured parties, and survivors obtain justice and full compensation in accident cases. We operate on contingency which means our clients owe us nothing unless we secure a successful result. Learn more and receive free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.
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