Fatality Reported in Accident at Florin Road Intersection
An accident fatality occurred on May 14 in Sacramento when two motor vehicles collided at an intersection. The collision occurred at Florin and Power Inn roads around 2:03 in the afternoon. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) report stated that the two vehicles involved were an Acura and Volkswagen Jetta and that the collision blocked the intersection. One of the individuals involved in the accident died from their injuries.
Drunk Driving May Have Been a Factor in Accident Fatality
The vehicles were towed as evidence in the investigation. Drunk or drugged driving was not ruled out as a factor in the fatal crash, and toxicology services were called to Kaiser South Sacramento Medical Center to determine that. The investigation into the collision is ongoing.
Drunk Driving Often Leads to an Accident Fatality
Drunk drivers are often responsible for an accident fatality, despite efforts by police to stop them and public education to instruct motorists on the dangers of driving while under the influence. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 28 people die each day in the United States in a crash where drunk driving was a factor. Types of accidents commonly caused by a drunk driver include:
- Head-on collisions: Drunk drivers can get distracted or sleepy, which can lead to an accident fatality. Because an intoxicated driver weaves in and out of their lane, it can easily lead to a head-on collision.
- Rear-end crashes: Drunk drivers have trouble monitoring their speed and tend to either drive aggressively or tailgate, which can end up causing a rear-end crash.
- Wrong-way crashes: Drunk drivers are responsible for the majority of wrong-way accidents.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving can be caused by more than talking on a cell phone or texting. When it concerns a drunk driver, they may not be able to focus on more than one thing at a time.
- Collisions with pedestrians: The impaired vision that an intoxicated driver experiences may prevent them from seeing a pedestrian in the crosswalk or parking lot.
- Drowsy driving: Fatigue behind the wheel of a car is dangerous, but this is also a problem with drivers who are intoxicated because they may doze off.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim to Recover Damages
Losing a loved one is difficult for every member of the family, and they feel tremendous grief at the loss. When negligence by another person was the reason for the accident fatality, family members may file a wrongful death claim to recover damages. It won’t ease their grief, however, it can help them move forward by knowing the at-fault person is being held responsible. Recoverable damages in a wrongful death claim include:
- The cost of the burial and funeral is recoverable.
- Wages the deceased made until their age of retirement can be recovered. This includes insurance and pension benefits, bonuses and others. If the individual was self-employed, documents such as tax returns can be used to establish income.
- Loss of inheritance is recoverable in some cases.
- The spouse/putative spouse may recover compensation for loss of consortium and moral support the decedent provided.
- The family’s children, including stepchildren who obtained at least half their support from the deceased, may file for the loss of nurturing, guidance and help.
- Loss of household services may be claimed in areas where the surviving spouse will now have to pay someone to do such as tax preparation, lawn care and in other areas.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. Our injury lawyers offer free and friendly advice on whether you can file a claim for compensation when a negligent driver caused your injuries. Contact us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We also offer an online contact form.
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