Two Drivers Killed After Oakdale Head-On Collision
Two drivers were killed after a head-on collision on Highway 108 just east of Oakdale on the morning of March 26, 2020. The car accident occurred around 6:50 a.m. near the intersection of SR-108 and Atlas Road, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). A 2004 Pontiac GTO was traveling east on Highway 108 while a 2015 Nissan Sentra was headed westbound. For unknown reasons, both vehicles collided head-on. The two drivers, a 67-year-old Modesto man and an 85-year-old Newark man, were the sole occupants in their respective cars. Sadly, both passed away at the scene. Officials with the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office have withheld the names of both parties until their family has been notified.
Loss of a Loved One
When a loved one is unexpectedly lost in a car wreck, the days, weeks, and even months after the incident may feel like a blur. It can be challenging to pick up the pieces to put your family’s life back together, let alone search for the answers on what happened to your loved one. That’s where an experienced Oakdale wrongful death lawyer comes in. Since you and your family need the time to grieve, a lawyer can investigate the facts and circumstances leading up to your loved one’s death, and determine who is at fault for the fatal car accident. This way, the lawyer can look out for your family’s best interests and seek fair compensation for your losses through a wrongful death claim.
Types of Compensation Available Through a Wrongful Death Claim
A loss of a loved one that should have never happened in the first place is often challenging to accept, especially when someone else is to blame. Whether the negligence or carelessness of another caused the unexpected death of your loved one, California law provides a way for you and your family to recover monetary damages. A compassionate and experienced wrongful death lawyer from Oakdale can help you obtain fair compensation for economic and noneconomic damages provided under the law, including:
- Bills for medical care associated with the injury that caused death, including costs for ambulance rides and hospitalization (these may be recovered through a survival action)
- Expenses for a loved one’s funeral and burial services
- Loss of assistance, care, protection, and services the decedent provided to surviving family members
- Lost benefits provided through a loved one’s employer, including pension and medical insurance
- The value of future financial support a family member could reasonably have been expected to contribute to their family if not for the wrongful death car accident
Who Can File for Wrongful Death After an Oakdale Head-On Collision?
Under California law, the surviving spouse or domestic partner can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of themselves and their minor children they had with the decedent. If there is no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children, then the decedent’s parents, stepchildren, or putative spouse may bring a claim for wrongful death under these circumstances. To learn more about who can file for wrongful death, watch the video below.
How Can a Lawyer Help Our Family?
The insurance company representing the at-fault party may attempt to dispute liability for the head-on collision. When this happens, you need an Oakdale wrongful death attorney to help you and your family. A lawyer can help protect you from insurance claims adjusters and defense attorneys who often emphasize the effect that your loved one’s actions had in causing the traffic collision. This is a common defense tactic used in the auto insurance industry to pressure families into accepting low-ball settlement offers. When you have a lawyer at your side, you and your family can rest assured knowing that your lawyer will help seek peace, closure, and accountability through a wrongful death case on your behalf.
Car Accident Lawyer in Oakdale
I’m Ed Smith, an Oakdale car accident lawyer. If you and your family are grieving a loved one’s unexpected death after a car accident, let an experienced attorney handle the legal complexities of your case. Give me a call today at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice on how to move forward in your situation.
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When you work with our personal injury law firm, we make it a top priority to guide you and your family throughout the entire wrongful death claims process. You can rely on us to do what it takes to recover the justice and compensation you need and deserve for your loved one’s wrongful death. To see how we have helped other families, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Picture Credit: By “Myriams-Fotos” via Pixabay
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