Man Killed in Merced County Pedestrian Accident
A Santa Rosa man was killed in a Merced County pedestrian accident on the night of November 11, 2019. The incident occurred along southbound Interstate 5 and Mercy Springs Road, just northwest of Los Banos. A man was driving a white GMC pickup truck on I-5 and pulled onto the shoulder of the roadway. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the left rear tire of the flatbed trailer he was towing was blown. Officials believe he stepped out of his vehicle to change his blown tire when he was hit by an unidentified car. Emergency personnel was called to the scene by other drivers passing by the incident. Upon the arrival of authorities, they found the man unconscious underneath the trailer and attempted to perform life-saving measures. Sadly, he passed away from his injuries. Officials have identified the decedent as 51-year-old Stanley Crossland of Santa Rosa.
What to Do After a Fatal Merced County Pedestrian Accident
When a relative is lost in a hit and run pedestrian accident, their family may be left with immense grief and many unanswered questions. The last thing the family would want to deal with while grieving is tracking down the driver responsible for the death of their loved one. In times like these, the assistance of an experienced Merced wrongful death attorney can prove invaluable. An attorney can help create a timeline for the sequence of events leading up to the incident. The attorney can use this information to identify the vehicle involved in the hit and run by obtaining video surveillance in the area. This way, the driver can be located and held responsible for their negligence.
Does Insurance Cover Wrongful Death in a Hit and Run Accident?
After a loved one is lost in a hit and run accident, you and your family may be wondering who will cover your damages. This is particularly true if the negligent party is not located. In such situations, you may be able to file a claim through your loved one’s car insurance policy if they have uninsured motorist coverage. This may cover those who have suffered injuries or were killed in a hit and run while walking, driving, or riding a bike. Conversely, if the loved one does not have this type of insurance but lived with a relative who does, that coverage may be extended under specific circumstances.
Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
Compensation in a wrongful death claim comes in two types, economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are intended to cover the financial consequences a family has suffered. It commonly includes loss of benefits, loss of the decedent’s future financial support, funeral expenses, and medical bills to treat the deceased before he or she passed away. Noneconomic damages are intended to compensate surviving family members for the intangible losses they have experienced. This may include loss of the decedent’s love, companionship, care, and moral support, as well as mental anguish and emotional suffering. Punitive damages may be recovered in cases involving egregious acts, such as drunk driving or excessive speeding. For more information on these types of cases, watch the below video.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, the spouse, domestic partner, or children of the decedent are entitled to wrongful death damages. Conversely, any relative who depended on the decedent for financial support may also be eligible to file, including putative spouses, stepchildren, and parents. To determine your eligibility for a wrongful death claim, contact an experienced wrongful death attorney in Merced.
Wrongful Death Lawyers in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced wrongful death lawyer. When a loved one is lost due to someone else’s negligence, a family is often left with financial and emotional hardships. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help guide you and your family through this challenging time and offer compassionate legal advice on how to move forward from your loss. If you have lost someone you love in a pedestrian accident caused by the fault of another, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice.
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At our law office, we help families across Northern California navigate the personal injury and wrongful death claims process, while protecting their legal rights with sympathy and compassion. To learn more about how we have helped others, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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