Teen Dies in Elk Grove Bicycle Accident

Home » Teen Dies in Elk Grove Bicycle Accident
October 19, 2020
Edward Smith

Accident on Whitelock Parkway Results in Death of Bicyclist

A bicycle rider fatality occurred on October 17 in Elk Grove when a 14-year-old was involved in a collision with a motor vehicle. According to a report by the Elk Grove Police Department, the accident occurred about 3:19 in the afternoon along Whitelock Parkway near Bruceville Road. Police officers arrived at the accident scene where they discovered the injured teen and attempted medical assistance while they awaited the arrival of first responders with the Sacramento Fire Department. Although the teen was transported to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation, he reportedly passed away from his injuries later. A GoFundMe page has been created on behalf of his family to help cover final resting expenses.

Accident Results in Bicycle Rider Fatality

According to police, the driver of a Chrysler 200 was proceeding east on the road, and the bicyclist was crossing northbound. The driver of the vehicle remained at the site of the crash and was cooperating with the police investigation. Neither alcohol nor drugs are factors in the cause of the bicycle accident

Following is a video by lawyer Ed Smith in which he explains what a wrongful death claim is

Helping Those Who Are Grieving

It is a difficult time for those who have lost a loved one. They face feelings of disbelief, confusion, grief, anger at the loss and a myriad of other emotions. Friends and family members want to be supportive but sometimes don’t know how. Following are a few suggestions:

  • Call or send a card or flowers to express your sympathy and support.
  • Send over food. People deep in grief frequently don’t bother to eat or forget to, and this is a time when they need their strength.
  • When visiting, help around the home. This can be in the form of running errands such as picking up children at school or washing the dishes. 
  • Above all, be a good listener. Take your cue from the person who is grieving. Some may not want to talk about the incident that took their loved one’s life. Others might.
  • Remember that grief doesn’t stop after the funeral. Be there for your family or friends and check in often. 

Why Should a Family File a Wrongful Death Claim

No amount of compensation will bring back a loved one. That said, families find that it may be difficult to pay for the funeral and burial expenses that accompany a loved one’s death. Many times, friends establish a fund that will help. However, it is not always easy to raise the amount of money that is needed. 

If the person’s death is due to another’s negligence, there is another way to do this. By filing a wrongful death claim, the end-of-life expenses can be recovered, allowing the family to grieve without the added burden of worrying about financial issues. The family can talk to a personal injury lawyer to determine their options.

Related article by Elk Grove wrongful death lawyer Ed Smith:

Investigating a Wrongful Death

In a wrongful death case, it is necessary to provide evidence that shows liability on the part of the at-fault party. This is done by thoroughly examining the accident scene for clues as to why and how the incident occurred. At our law firm, we dispatch our investigators to the site where they use accident reconstruction techniques to determine the placement of the vehicles both before and after the crash. 

Our investigators use traffic surveillance cameras as evidence. They also talk to witnesses and review police reports from the scene of the crash. We can also look into whether defective traffic signals played a role in the bicycle accident and determine if the government entity responsible for the upkeep of the road was liable for a loved one’s wrongful death. Once all this data is accumulated, our lawyers use it to construct a strong case. 

Elk Grove Wrongful Death Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove wrongful death lawyer. Losing a loved one is a terrible experience, and even more so when a young person is lost. When negligence by another was the reason the accident happened, the family may wish to file a claim for wrongful death. You can reach me for my compassionate, free and friendly advice in Elk Grove at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400. An online form is available also.

I’ve helped Elk Grove residents since 1982 to get fair compensation for their claims involving wrongful death, all types of traffic accidents and traumas such as brain injuries.

More info about my law firm can be found below:

Among the organizations I’m honored to belong to, I am especially proud to be a member of:

Photo Attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-lg0clbRM; https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-open-candle-candlelight-1926414/

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