Driver of Truck Sought in Modesto Fatal Hit and Run
A driver of a pickup truck is being sought by Modesto officials after crashing into a man and killing him in a fatal hit and run on the night of Tuesday, September 1, 2020. The pedestrian accident occurred around 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of L Street and Eighth Street. The Modesto Police Department (Modesto PD) reported that the man was attempting to walk across the intersection when he was struck by a 1994-2004 GMC or Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck whose driver reportedly fled the scene afterward. Sadly, the pedestrian, 42-year-old Patrick McHaley of Modesto, passed away at the site of the hit and run accident.
Investigators from Modesto PD described the suspect vehicle as dark green in color with an aluminum diamond plate toolbox and a tinted rear window. A recent update by Modesto PD revealed that the driver of the pickup truck, a 67-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run, vehicular manslaughter, and additional charges. A 61-year-old woman was also arrested and charged with assisting and abetting after the commission of a felony. Further information about how she reportedly helped the driver of the pickup was not immediately available.
Loss of a Loved One
The loss of a close relative is one of the most challenging situations families can experience. At a time when grieving family members should be able to grieve and recover, it is often met with social, legal, and financial obligations. This is particularly true when a loved one is killed in a fatal hit and run accident, causing emotional and financial hardship for survivors. The legal term, wrongful death, is used to refer to a loss of life due to the recklessness or negligence of another party. This is considered a civil action with the sole purpose of making a family whole again through the form of monetary awards for wrongful death damages.
Types of Wrongful Death Damages in a Fatal Accident Case
Our Modesto personal injury attorneys represent families who have suffered the loss of a loved one in fatal pedestrian accident cases throughout Stanislaus County and California. While no amount of money can undo the pain or make up for the loss of a close relative, bringing a wrongful death claim against the driver responsible for the fatal incident can help a family seek justice and financial compensation for damages such as:
- Economic Damages: In wrongful death cases, economic damages are sought on behalf of survivors to compensate them for the financial losses they have suffered. This includes funeral and burial expenses, loss of benefits or gifts, the financial support the decedent would have provided to the family throughout their lifetime, and the reasonable value of household services performed by the deceased. A Modesto wrongful death attorney may also recover costs of end of life medical treatment through a survival action.
- Non-Economic Damages: In a wrongful death claim, non-economic damages are subjective losses that cannot be easily calculated and vary in value from case to case. Common types of non-economic damages are the loss of a loved one’s affection, care, and protection, mental anguish, and lost parental guidance and training.
- Punitive Damages: A jury may award punitive damages in cases of egregious conduct as a way of punishing the at-fault party and to deter other individuals from acting similarly. In a fatal pedestrian accident case, punitive damages may be sought for negligence, such as excessive speeding or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).
When a fatal pedestrian accident involves a hit and run driver, our injury lawyers will look at all potential options for recovery. This includes uninsured motorist coverage and bringing a claim under the decedent’s auto insurance policy or that of a relative they lived with. The latter is a viable option for recovery so long as the deceased loved one was not listed as an excluded member of the insurance plan. For details on what to look for in an attorney to handle your wrongful death case, watch this video.
Importance of Hiring a Lawyer for a Fatal Hit and Run Case in Modesto
The Modesto personal injury attorneys of AutoAccident.com have decades of experience handling wrongful death cases and strive to minimize the stress of surviving family members. If you have lost someone you love in a fatal pedestrian accident caused by negligence, we will handle all aspects of your case so you and your family can focus on healing from your loss.
When our personal injury law firm represents a family, we take the time to understand who their loved one was, what their life was like, and the impact of their absence on each member of the family. By doing so, we can get a full picture of the decedent’s life to present the value of that loved one’s life to an insurance company, defense attorney, or jury. Our legal team understands that the process can be painful and challenging for surviving family members. Still, it can help obtain the justice and compensation they need, so they do not suffer from financial hardship. Our team of accident attorneys is available anytime to speak with you and your family and provide you free, friendly legal advice on your situation.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury lawyer. Did you lose a loved one in a fatal hit and run pedestrian accident because of someone else’s negligence? Call our law firm for the compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance you and your family deserve to hold the at-fault party financially accountable for their wrongdoing. Our legal team understands how challenging it is to lose a loved one and are committed to obtaining the justice you all deserve. Call our law office to schedule a complimentary consultation today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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