Pittsburg Man Killed After Car Crash in Santa Rosa
A Pittsburg man was one of two people killed after a car crash in the Santa Rosa area on the early morning of Sunday, July 12, 2020. The motor vehicle accident was reported shortly after 12:10 a.m. on Lazzini Avenue at Stony Point Road. A silver BMW was reportedly heading northbound on Stony Point Road at a high rate of speed, according to police. A silver Cadillac CTS was traveling westbound on Lazzini Avenue when it was allegedly struck by the BMW. The three parties in the BMW, one female and two males, were transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries described as non-life-threatening. Sadly, the two occupants of the Cadillac were pronounced deceased at the scene. The Sonoma County Coroner’s Ofice has identified the decedents as 45-year-old Bernardo Barragan of Pittsburg and 40-year-old Salvador Aguilera of Santa Rosa. A GoFundMe page has been created on behalf of Mr. Bernardo Barragan’s family to cover his final resting expenses and help his four children.
Losing a Family Member to Wrongful Death
When your family has lost a loved one due to the negligence of someone else, you may be considering legal action for justice and compensation for your loss. A wrongful death claim allows specific surviving family members outlined in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 to recover compensation from the party or entity responsible for the death of a loved one and losses incurred. This includes the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children. If a decedent is not survived by any of these relatives, other family members may be able to bring a wrongful death case, like the putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents. To determine your eligibility for wrongful death benefits, reach out to an experienced attorney today.
Compensation in a Wrongful Death Case for a Fatal Santa Rosa Car Crash
The surviving family members who qualify to file a wrongful death claim may seek compensation for the emotional and financial losses they have suffered as a result of their loved one’s death. The types of recoverable damages in a wrongful death case include:
- Any costs of medical treatment related to the decedent’s final injury (this is recoverable through a survival action)
- Bills related to a loved one’s funeral and burial services
- Emotional suffering and mental anguish caused upon surviving family members
- Loss of a loved one’s care, guidance, and protection
- Lost future earnings, benefits, and inheritance for the family
- Punitive damages may be claimed from the at-fault party if their behavior was particularly egregious in the wrongful death car accident (e.g., excessive speeding or DUI)
Understanding how the wrongful death claims process works after losing someone you love can be challenging. Our wrongful death lawyers in Pittsburg have created a brief overview of these types of cases. Watch the video below to learn more:
What is the Filing Deadline for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
Time is of the essence in a wrongful death action. There is a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death lawsuits under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If you do not agree to a fair settlement with the insurance company and allow this deadline to pass, you may lose the opportunity of seeking financial compensation that is rightfully owed to you and your family. Meet with an experienced Pittsburg wrongful death attorney so that you can file your lawsuit on time to ensure your legal right to compensation is protected.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help Your Family
At AutoAccident.com, we understand how devastating it can be to lose someone you love to wrongful death. That is why we are dedicated to holding negligent parties and their insurance companies financially accountable for their wrongdoing and recover the compensation you and your family deserve. We offer free case evaluations and provide valuable insight on how to move forward in your situation. Call us today to see how we can help your family through this difficult time.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Pittsburg
I’m Ed Smith, a Pittsburg personal injury lawyer. When someone you love has been killed as a result of someone else’s wrongdoing, nothing can undo the pain you have experienced. However, a wrongful death claim can help bring the justice and compensation you and your family need in your time of loss. To learn more about your options after a loved one’s wrongful death, call (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice.
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