Los Banos Man Killed After Car Accident in Hollister
A Los Banos man was killed, and another person was seriously injured after a recent car accident in Hollister, CA. The collision occurred around 3:05 p.m. on State Route 156 just east of San Felipe Road. A 41-year-old man from Los Banos was behind the wheel of a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta headed eastbound on SR-156. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a 26-year-old Modesto man crossed over the solid double-yellow lines in his 2006 Toyota Tacoma and collided head-on with the Volkswagen. The Toyota driver suffered catastrophic injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas for treatment. He is expected to face DUI charges after he is released from hospitalization, CHP reported. Sadly, the driver of the Volkswagen passed away at the scene. His identity has been withheld due to pending notification of family members.
Losing a Loved One
The loss of a close relative is never easy. When the loss occurred as a result of another party’s negligence, it can be emotionally devastating for surviving family members. Wrongful death lawyers in Los Banos understand this and can work diligently to obtain fair compensation after a loved one’s wrongful death. While no wrongful death settlement can undo the pain or make up for losing a loved one, an attorney will ensure that a family’s rights and benefits are protected as they focus on recovering from their loss.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Los Banos Car Accident
When a person’s negligence directly leads to the loss of a loved one, surviving family members may have the grounds for a wrongful death claim. This type of case is intended to hold negligent parties financially responsible for a wrongful death car accident and damages incurred. Survivors may be entitled to economic and noneconomic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses for end of life treatment
- Costs of a loved one’s funeral and burial
- The value of wages and benefits the decedent would have earned in their lifetime if not for the fatal auto accident
- Lost companionship, love, and care
- Mental anguish as a result of a loved one’s wrongful death
- Punitive damages may be recovered in some cases depending on how egregious the at-fault party’s behavior was in the incident (e.g., driving under the influence or excessive speeding)
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
In California, the decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children have two years from the date of loss to file a wrongful death claim against the liable party. If the deceased did not leave any immediate family members behind, then others may be eligible to file for wrongful death. This includes surviving parents, stepchildren, or putative spouses. To learn more about who has the right to bring a wrongful death action, watch the video below.
What Can a Lawyer Do for our Family?
The days and weeks following the wrongful death of a loved one, a defense attorney representing the at-fault party’s insurance company may offer a quick settlement without allowing families the time they need to consider their options. This is the insurance company’s way of limiting the amount they pay for a wrongful death claim. Such settlements may not take into full account how much a loved one meant to their family. When this happens, a family should consult with a wrongful death lawyer from Los Banos before signing any documents. An attorney can give a family a better idea of what they should expect from their wrongful death claim to avoid being taken advantage of by insurance companies.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Banos
I’m Ed Smith, a Los Banos personal injury lawyer. The loss of a family member is devastating, and attempting to navigate the wrongful death claims process on your own can be overwhelming. This is especially true when there are unsympathetic insurance companies involved. Hiring a wrongful death lawyer to help with the filing process means you can focus on your first priority, your family. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. I am available anytime to provide you with my free, friendly advice on how to move forward in your situation and what potential options are available to you for recovery.
Browse our client ratings and reviews on:
I am proud to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Visit our Verdicts and Settlements page to see how we have helped other families affected by wrongful death by recovering the compensation they need and deserve.
Image Credit: By “bernswaelz” via Pixabay
:ds llo [cs 801]