Head-on Collision in Elverta May Have Involved Drugged Driver
A motorcyclist fatality accident happened near Elverta on March 3 in a head-on crash involving a pickup. The accident happened along Elverta Road close to 16th Street around 7:00 in the evening according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) office in North Sacramento.
The police report stated that a man from Citrus Heights, age 27, was driving a Ford F-150 when it collided head-on with a motorcyclist, 61-year-old George Hickey from Elverta. Mr. Hickey was subsequently ejected from his motorcycle and was declared dead at the accident scene.
Driver Placed Under Arrest Following Motorcyclist Fatality Accident
The driver of the pickup stayed at the motorcycle fatality accident scene. He was placed under arrest by officers under suspicion of drug use. The accident is currently being investigated by CHP investigators to determine how it occurred.
Losing a Loved One in a Motorcyclist Fatality
It’s always difficult for the family when they lose a loved one, especially when negligence by another was the cause. Their emotions range from grief, shock, and disbelief to anger that this tragedy could occur to someone they loved. The last thing on their minds is the financial impact that loss can have on the family. Suddenly, they may face the loss of income their loved one provided along with the expenses of the funeral and burial. However, if negligence took the life of their loved one in a motorcycle fatality, they may place a wrongful death claim. Under this claim, they may receive:
- Funeral and burial costs
- The income the decedent would have received until their retirement age, along with pension benefits, insurance, and whatever else the person earned
- Loss of consortium and of the love and companionship may be claimed by the spouse
- Loss of inheritance
- Services the deceased provided such as lawn or childcare, paying bills, and auto care
- Loss of nurturing and guidance to the children in the family
Who Can Claim Wrongful Death?
The immediate members of the family can place a claim for wrongful death. The lawsuit is brought on behalf of the deceased person. In California, this includes:
- Spouse or putative spouse, which is someone who believed they were legally married
- Natural and adopted children, which also includes step-children if they received at least 50 percent of their support from the deceased
- Grandparents, if they also received half their support from the decedent
- Children of a deceased child of the decedent
Helping a Family in Grief
Friends, relatives, and coworkers can show their support for a grieving family, which can help make their transition easier. However, not everyone knows how to go about this. Some ways in which others can show their empathy and support include:
- Send a card, flowers or make a donation to the decedent’s favorite charity.
- Offer a sympathetic, listening ear. People in grief may want to talk about their loved one. This is one of the ways they work through the grief process.
- Visit if it is permissible. Not all families want visitors at this time of great sorrow and stress.
- Send over prepared or purchased food. This can be greatly appreciated since the grieving family members may forget to eat, and they have many tasks to accomplish in a short time.
- Offer to pick up prescriptions or groceries, children from school, or take a family member shopping.
- Remember that grief does not stop after the funeral has concluded. Be there for the grieving family members afterward.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. Losing a loved one places a family in turmoil, especially if it never had to happen. If you would like information on whether your family can place a wrongful death claim, I have compassionate, free and friendly advice to offer. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or from outside the area code, you can call (800) 404-5400. I can also be contacted online if that is easier for you.
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