Woman Killed in Fresno County Head-On Collision
A woman was killed, and six others were injured in a Fresno County head-on collision on the night of August 2, 2019. The initial head-on collision occurred shortly before 8:50 p.m. along Highway 41 at Harlan Avenue, just south of Fresno and east of Riverdale. A woman was driving a Honda Civic southbound along the highway when she was involved in a head-on collision with a Kia SUV. A second car accident followed. A man in his 30s reportedly crashed head-on with a southbound car that was occupied by a family. The man allegedly struck a woman who had pulled over and attempted to redirect traffic due to the initial crash. A third head-on collision took place shortly after. The same man veered into the oncoming traffic lane and crashed into a big rig head-on. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the woman who was trying to direct traffic suffered critical injuries. The conditions of others involved in the collisions were described as moderate to severe. All were transported to the hospital for immediate treatment. Sadly, the Honda Civic driver involved in the initial car wreck was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials have identified the decedent as 20-year-old Maria Martinez Ramirez of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Moreover, a GoFundMe page has been set up by the family of Ms. Maria Martinez Ramirez to help cover her final resting costs. I would like to send my condolences to the loved ones of Ms. Ramirez in their time of loss.
Wrongful Death in a Fresno County Head-On Collision
When multiple vehicles are involved in a car accident, there may be some issues concerning liability. Insurance companies for negligent drivers often dispute financial responsibility for a crash, particularly those insuring large commercial trucks. This may put injured parties and families of decedents in a challenging situation, especially when dealing with emotional, physical, and financial losses. In such cases, an experienced Fresno personal injury attorney can be retained to conduct an independent investigation of the collision. This way, the attorney can properly determine liability and recover fair compensation on a family’s behalf. Most attorneys take these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no fees up front. You pay a fee only if your case settles successfully in your favor.
Does Insurance Cover Wrongful Death in a Fresno County Head-On Collision?
The insurance company of a negligent driver may be responsible for covering a wide array of economic and noneconomic damages. These include:
- Costs of services for a loved one’s funeral and burial
- Financial support and household services the decedent would have provided to the family
- Loss of a family member’s companionship, love, affection, and moral support
- Medical expenses and other bills incurred for the decedent
- Mental anguish and emotional suffering resulting from the wrongful death car accident
- Value of lost benefits such as health insurance or pension, which may be calculated by a financial expert such as an economist
For more details on what can be recovered in a wrongful death case, watch the below video.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim Worth?
It may seem immoral to assign a financial value to a loved one’s life. However, it allows the court the opportunity to assess the intangible and economic hardship of wrongful death on surviving family members. The value of wrongful death damages is determined by several factors. Age, education, earnings, and life expectancy are considered when determining the amount of compensation for a wrongful death claim.
Who Can File a California Wrongful Death Claim?
Not everyone is allowed to file a Fresno wrongful death claim. Only those who are directly impacted by a wrongful death are eligible to bring a claim. This includes surviving children, spouses, or domestic partners. If such parties do not exist, then the decedent’s putative spouse, children of the putative spouse, stepchildren or parents may be able to file.
Is There a Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death?
Prioritizing self-care and taking all the time you need to mourn your loved one’s death is essential. However, the sooner you retain the assistance of a wrongful death lawyer, the more time you will have to build a strong case on your loved one’s behalf. While there is a two-year window to bring a wrongful death case under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, some factors may affect this time limit. This includes negligence on the part of a government entity. In such cases, a claim must be filed with the appropriate government agency within 6 months or 180 days from the time of loss. If the deadline is not met, you and your family may lose the right to recover compensation for your loved one’s unexpected passing. This is why it is critical to have an attorney at your side in such devastating situations. A lawyer can ensure all applicable requirements and deadlines are met for your loved one’s wrongful death case.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno personal injury lawyer. Nothing is more devastating than losing someone you love to a car accident in Fresno, especially if the crash was caused by the carelessness of someone else. If you have lost a loved one in an auto accident due to the fault of a negligent driver or entity, please call me at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my compassionate, free and friendly advice.
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I am a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates. Members of the first group are those attorneys who provide the highest standards of legal excellence to their clients. The other forum is composed of attorneys who have obtained $1 million or more for a client.
As a Fresno personal injury attorney, I have dedicated my time to help those who have been injured or lost loved ones in Fresno car accidents since 1982. See how we have helped resolve past cases for our clients by visiting our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photograph Source: By “Kat Jayne” via Pexels
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