I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. In the early hours of August 21, a female pedestrian was struck and killed on Highway 99 while running in the third lane of the road. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), she was struck by two different vehicles. Both of the drivers remained at the scene of the accident and were reported as being cooperative with the investigation into the incident. I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of the decedent in this time of sorrow.
What Happened
The accident happened at about 3:30 in the morning when the woman was struck on Highway 99 close to 47th Avenue and was initially reported as trying to cross the roadway from the north to the south side. The woman was reported as wearing dark-colored clothing. Lighting is somewhat poor in this area, making it more difficult for a driver to spot a pedestrian in the roadway. The deceased woman was struck first by the vehicle belonging to a Sacramento resident, age 29, tossed into the air and then hit by a vehicle driven by a resident of Oroville, age 43. The identity of the woman who was killed in the accident has not yet been released nor have the identities of the two drivers been forthcoming at this time.
Police Investigation
Although police caution pedestrians not to cross roads at non-intersections and especially highways during the night, they still continue to do so. Investigators say that neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected as contributing factors in the accident. Three lanes of traffic were closed for some time while the accident was cleared and an investigation conducted. The road was reopened about two hours following the incident.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Injuries
While other types of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities are decreasing, pedestrian deaths are on the increase. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there were 5,987 pedestrian fatalities in 2016, an increase from the 5,495 deaths of walkers the previous year. In 2015, the most recent year for statistics, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 228 pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Sacramento. The number was much larger throughout Sacramento County with 535 pedestrian deaths and serious injuries caused by all types of motor vehicle accidents. When a pedestrian accident injury or death is caused by a negligent driver, the injured person or family may obtain fair compensation for their loss.
Wrongful Death in a Pedestrian Accident
When a family member dies, their loved ones experience profound grief. However, the person’s death also puts a strain on family finances, particularly when the decedent contributed financially. Families turn to a wrongful death lawsuit when the person’s demise was due to another’s negligence. In such cases, a wrongful death attorney is instrumental in helping the family recover end of life expenses and the financial assistance the person provided. While the outcome of a wrongful death lawsuit will not lessen the grief, it will make it easier for the family to cope with their loss.
What Is Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The main areas of recovery are:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses for the decedent prior to death
- Lost income the decedent provided to the family and that which he or she would have provided in the future
- Loss of support emotionally
- Loss of spousal love or loss of consortium
- Cost of household services the decedent attended to such as landscaping around the home
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. Losing a loved one is difficult but even more so when the cause was a negligent driver. If you were injured or lost someone you love, I am here to offer you free and friendly advice. Just give me a call at (916) 921-6400 locally or (800) 404-5400 if you are phoning long-distance. I also offer an online contact form.
As a Million Dollar Advocates member, I join other top trial attorneys who have garnered in excess of $1 million for a client through a verdict or settlement.
Learning about a law firm before calling is a good idea when you or your loved one is seeking representation. At the following links, you can see what previous clients had to say about my firm, and look at some of our cases and how they concluded:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/pedestrian-walking-shadow-night-925850/
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