Man Hit and Killed by Vehicle in Salida Area
A man from a city in San Luis Obispo County was hit and killed by an oncoming vehicle in the Salida area on the early morning of Saturday, April 3, 2021. The fatal pedestrian accident occurred on southbound Highway 99, just north of Kiernan Avenue, at approximately 2:25 a.m.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a 23-year-old Modesto woman was driving a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee southbound on State Route 99. At the same time, a man reportedly walked in the far-right lane of southbound SR-99. The Jeep driver allegedly struck the man, according to a CHP incident report.
After the initial accident, the pedestrian was then struck by a 2021 Freightliner truck driven by a 59-year-old Stockton man and a 2006 Toyota driven by a 47-year-old Modesto man. Sadly, the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office recently identified him as 60-year-old Raymond Wallace of Grover Beach.
Loss of a Loved One to Wrongful Death
Few events in life can change your life, like the unexpected loss of a loved one. When that death occurred because of a fatal pedestrian accident, surviving family members may feel frustrated and angry as they grieve. Understandably, survivors need answers during their time of loss and grief.
A family needs experienced legal representation to ensure they are not taken advantage of during this difficult time of their life. With decades of experience in wrongful death and personal injury cases, our lawyers can help your family seek justice and fair compensation for your loss. To learn more, contact our law firm today to speak with one of our experienced injury lawyers.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Case?
When a surviving family member files a wrongful death claim, they may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages. These include:
- Costs of medical treatment for the injury that resulted in death, including the costs of emergency transportation or hospitalization (this may be recovered through a survival action)
- Expenses for funeral and burial services
- Loss of comfort, guidance, companionship, care, and society the deceased provided to their family
- Lost parental care and guidance for surviving children
- The income the decedent would have reasonably expected to earn if they survived
For more information on the wrongful death claims process, watch the video below.
Can You Recover Punitive Damages in a Fatal Pedestrian Accident Case?
In a wrongful death suit, an attorney may seek punitive damages from the at-fault party for reckless action. They are not available in every case, but the civil court may award them in cases of death caused by egregious conduct. Punitive damages are solely designed to punish the at-fault party. They also serve the purpose of sending a message that such conduct is not tolerated in the community.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Suit in California?
A surviving family member has a limited amount of time to bring a wrongful death lawsuit in California. The statute of limitations for a wrongful death case is two years under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. This means a claimant must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of a loved one’s wrongful death, or they may lose the legal right to financial compensation.
Working with a Wrongful Death Attorney
A wrongful death case can be challenging for a family to handle on their own. There are many filing criteria and deadlines involved as well as proving liability and hiring experts. Our law firm works with accident reconstruction experts and financial experts such as economists to compile the evidence necessary for building a strong case for fair compensation.
Schedule a free consultation about your potential case with one of our experienced wrongful death attorneys today. We will provide an honest assessment of your situation, what to expect during the claims process with difficult insurance companies, and explain your potential legal options for recovery moving forward.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Salida
I’m Ed Smith, a Salida personal injury lawyer. The unexpected loss of a loved one is extremely painful and life-changing. When another person causes the loss of a family member through negligence or carelessness, survivors may feel even more angry and frustrated. Fortunately, surviving family members can depend on an experienced attorney at our personal injury law firm to guide them through the process. If you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, contact our lawyers today for compassionate, free, and friendly advice regarding your potential case at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
For more information about our law firm, visit the links below to view a list of our past case results and client reviews:
We are proud to be listed as California members of the following legal groups:
Picture Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/love-gold-rose-cemetery-grave-dead-4814488/
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