Pittsburg Man Killed in Fatal Highway 4 Car Crash
A man from Pittsburg was killed in a fatal single-car crash on California State Route 242 at Highway 4 in Contra Costa County on the night of November 29, 2020. The motor vehicle collision occurred on northbound CA-242 at approximately 11:30 p.m. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicated that a 22-year-old Concord man was driving a 1994 Honda Civic on SR-242 and reportedly struck the concrete center divider. The Honda driver allegedly lost control of the car and traveled down a dirt embankment toward the southbound lanes of State Route 242. The Honda came to a rest on its roof.
CHP traffic officials said the Honda driver suffered minor injuries in the car accident. However, the passenger of the vehicle was reportedly ejected from the vehicle onto the traffic lanes of CA-242 and hit by a passing car. Sadly, authorities declared him deceased at the scene. Officials initially identified him as a man from Pittsburg. However, the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office has identified him as 31-year-old Jose Luis Vazquez-Rojano of Clarksburg, West Virginia.
What Damages are Awarded in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
A wrongful death claim is a civil case surviving family members can bring to seek monetary damages from the individual or entity responsible for the death of a loved one. This may include a driver responsible for a rollover accident or manufacturer of a vehicle that fails to meet roof crush resistance laws outlined in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 216, which is why it is critical to preserve your wrecked vehicle after a rollover. The economic and non-economic damages that may be available for survivors through a wrongful death action include the following:
- Bills for medical treatment associated with the final injury that caused the death of the decedent
- Costs of a funeral and burial for a lost loved one
- Loss of the advice, care, comfort, companionship, guidance, services, and society of the deceased
- Lost income and benefits, including the loss of future financial support that the loved one would have provided to the family if not for the wrongful death car accident
- Solace, sorrow, and mental anguish
Watch the video below to learn more about the wrongful death claims process.
Can Punitive Damages Be Awarded for a Fatal Car Crash on Highway 4?
Punitive damages may also be awarded in some extreme wrongful death cases. This type of damage may only be sought if the at-fault party acted in an egregious manner when causing harm to the decedent. In the case of a fatal motor vehicle accident, punitive damages may be awarded for excessive speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). These damages are not intended to serve as a form of compensation but instead to punish the at-fault party and deter them and others from displaying similar actions in the future.
Statute of Limitations for California Wrongful Death Claims
In most cases, the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children of the decedent have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the case is not filed with the court within the time limit, it may be dismissed. While two years may seem like ample time, it can take months to prepare the case and prove damages. Wrongful death actions, from start to finish, can also involve many challenging steps. This is why it is essential to reach out to a Pittsburg personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling wrongful death cases as soon as possible to review your claim.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Pittsburg
I’m Ed Smith, a Pittsburg personal injury lawyer. Have you been hurt or lost a family member in a car accident because of an act of negligence? The loss of a loved one is devastating and life-changing, regardless of the circumstances involved. However, when someone close to you suffers an unexpected death because of the reckless or negligent actions of someone else, the pain and grief are much more challenging to cope with. Since 1982, our law firm has helped families like yours obtain justice and compensation after a close relative was taken away from them too soon. Learn how our car accident lawyers can help your family today by calling for compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice through a complimentary consultation at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400.
See how our legal team at AutoAccident.com has helped others by visiting the links below:
It is an honor to be listed as a California member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Learn more about our personal injury law firm by viewing our list of past case results featured on our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photo Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/two-red-roses-grey-marble-4219904/
:ds llo [cs 832]