Pedestrian Fatality on Kaufman Road
On the night of September 11, 2023, the California Highway Patrol reported a fatality in a car versus pedestrian collision on Kaufman Road just south of Oakdale in Stanislaus County. The crash occurred in the area of Kaufman Road and Patterson Road at approximately 8:00 p.m., police reported.
Details on the Pedestrian Fatality on Kaufman Road Near Oakdale
A preliminary investigation by CHP traffic officers determined that a 2011 Ford was traveling westbound on Patterson Road near Kaufman Road. A man was walking in the area when he was allegedly struck by the right front of the Ford.
Officials said the Ford driver, a man from Modesto, age 43, did not sustain injuries in the crash. Sadly, the pedestrian, a man, age 20, was declared deceased at the crash site. Additional information on the incident has not yet been released by police as an investigation is ongoing.
What is a Wrongful Death Case and Who Can File in California?
When a family loses a loved one in a traffic collision, the party who caused the incident and their insurer may be liable for the resulting losses. These include economic and non-economic damages, like financial benefits and income, mental anguish, funeral service expenses, etc. Surviving family members may be able to seek additional damages aside from economic and non-economic damages. These may include punitive damages if the motorist involved in the pedestrian accident was driving while intoxicated or excessively speeding up during the fatal incident.
California’s statute of limitations on wrongful death cases, outlined in CCP 335.1, mandates a two-year time limit for parties to file in civil court. This starts on the date of the fatal incident. Failure to file the case within the applicable deadline may lead to the court dismissing the case, losing the right to seek damages, and surviving family members being left to deal with the damages. It is also essential to know how long specific evidence may be available, such as eyewitness accounts or video surveillance footage. As such, time is of the essence in these matters to facilitate a favorable case resolution.
Per CCP 377.60, parties who may file a claim and have priority to do so include the decedent’s spouse, domestic partner, or children. Other family members may be eligible to bring a case if these relatives are no longer alive. Our legal team at AutoAccident.com can review your potential case in a free consultation to assess your relationship with the deceased, determine if you qualify to file a claim for damages, and discuss your options moving forward. Watch this video for additional information about our law firm and our services.
Benefits of Working With Our Team of Wrongful Death Lawyers
You will find understanding and compassion when you work with our legal team at AutoAccident.com. We will handle your case from start to finish while you focus on grief and caring for your loved ones. Cases of wrongful death may be challenging, but we are here to handle everything, including:
- Identify all potentially negligent parties and seek compensatory damages from each one
- Collect and preserve evidence to establish liability and negligence, including traffic incident reports, video footage, pictures, medical records, etc.
- Determine the value of a case and negotiate a reasonable settlement agreement with the insurer.
- Protect surviving family members from unfair and common insurance carrier defense tactics, like devaluing or denying a claim for damages.
- Prepare the case to take to court if a mutual agreement is not reached and to protect the statute of limitations.
Personal Injury Attorney in Oakdale
Live in Oakdale, California, and are currently dealing with accident-related injuries or grieving the loss of a family member due to an accident. You may be eligible to file a claim for damages if someone else’s negligence caused the incident. An experienced Oakdale personal injury attorney can help you and your family seek justice and full financial recovery for your losses. Call our legal team at AutoAccident.com to schedule a free consultation at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to learn more. We are available anytime to review your potential case for free and offer friendly advice.
Picture Source: Pexels – Danilyuk
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