Update | Fatal Motorcycle Crash Occurs Near Rio Vista Bridge

Home » Update | Fatal Motorcycle Crash Occurs Near Rio Vista Bridge
June 20, 2023
Edward Smith

State Route 160 Site of Fatal Motorcycle Crash

A fatal motorcycle crash was reported near the Rio Vista bridge crossing the Sacramento River on June 18. Authorities with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) at the time the accident happened didn’t know whether the rider struck a guardrail or was hit by another vehicle. The collision occurred around 3:05 p.m. on State Route 160, one mile north of State Route 12. 

Authorities Determining Fatal Motorcycle Crash Cause

Traffic was stopped due to the accident, and the drivers of two large pickups blocked the highway as they waited for the Rio Vista Fire Department and County Coroner to arrive. An examination of the accident by CHP traffic crash investigators is determining what happened to cause the accident. Officials have recently identified the decedent as 65-year-old Hayward resident Harry Leonard Uncapher. A GoFundMe page has been set up by loved ones to assist with funeral service costs.

How a Lawyer Investigates a Fatal Motorcycle Crash

When a deadly motorcycle accident occurs, it’s the responsibility of an injury attorney to investigate and determine the cause. A lawyer needs to establish who or what is responsible for the crash in order to pursue wrongful death compensation on behalf of the deceased’s family. Here are some of the steps an attorney might take when investigating a fatal motorcycle crash:

  • Gather evidence: An attorney will first collect all available evidence, including police reports, pictures of the scene, witness statements and medical records.
  • Analyze the evidence: Once the evidence is collected, the lawyer will analyze it to determine what caused the crash. This may include looking at road conditions, vehicle defects, driver negligence or other factors that could have contributed to the accident.
  • Interview Witnesses: The lawyer will then interview any witnesses who may have seen the crash and can provide valuable insights on what happened.
  • Work with an accident reconstruction expert: In some cases, further investigation is needed to determine the cause of the accident, which is why an attorney may consult with an accident reconstruction expert. The expert will analyze the evidence and reconstruct the scene in order to determine what happened.

After all of this is done, the attorney can decide the best avenue to handle the claim. This may include filing an insurance claim or taking legal action against an individual or organization that was at fault for the crash.

Motorcycle Accident Fatality Compensation

Following a motorcycle accident, there are two options available for pursuing a wrongful death claim. Estate administrators or immediate family members may place a claim on behalf of those who wish to file. Spouses or putative spouses and their children are considered immediate family members. Parents and siblings are allowed to file if the deceased had no spouse or children. It is, however, possible to make only one claim. It is possible to recover damages in the following ways:

  • The expenses of a funeral and burial
  • Estimated earnings of the deceased until retirement are recoverable, including any benefits or bonuses they usually received
  • Loss of consortium may be claimed by the spouse
  • It is possible for the deceased’s children to claim a loss of guidance and nurturing
  • In some cases, the deceased’s family can be reimbursed for chores performed around the house by him or her

If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer, here are a few tips from attorney Ed Smith:

Rio Vista Personal Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith. I’m a Rio Vista personal injury lawyer. Fatalities that result from negligent behavior are wrongful deaths. Contact us if you believe your loved one’s death was caused by a wrongful act by calling (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice about your potential claim. Our online message system is also available.

With memberships in the Top 1 Percent and Million Dollar Advocates, we show how hard our accident attorneys work for our clients.

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Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay

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