Suspected Drunk Motorist Causes Fatality Accident on I-80
A suspected drunk motorist caused a fatal collision in Sacramento recently, which cost the life of another driver. The accident, reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), occurred along Interstate 80 eastbound near Madison Avenue at about 12:15 a.m. It occurred when a young adult male crashed into the rear end of the other driver’s vehicle.
Suspected Drunk Motorist Arrested at Accident Scene
The driver of the vehicle that was struck by the suspected drunk motorist was declared deceased at the accident scene. The driver who caused the collision was placed under arrest for suspected DUI. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office is releasing the name of the deceased driver once the family has been notified. The investigation into the accident’s cause is being conducted by CHP traffic detectives.
California Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims
In California, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims runs out two years after a fatal crash. Unless the claim is filed by this date, the court will not hear it. The statute of limitations may be extended in certain circumstances, such as in medical cases or in cases where minors die. In cases involving a minor, either the parents or guardians have the right to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one.
Traffic Accidents and the Loss of Loved Ones
A wrongful death claim can be filed when a loved one dies in an accident caused by a suspected drunk motorist. A claim may, however, only be filed once. A wrongful death claim is typically filed by the spouse and children of a deceased person. There are a number of damages that can be recovered by the family, including:
- Expenses related to the funeral, cremation, or burial of a decedent can be recovered.
- It is possible to recover the earnings of the decedent until their retirement as well as their benefits, such as insurance, pensions, and bonuses.
- Financial compensation may be available to the spouse for the loss of love, affection, and consortium.
- Any child who received half of their support from the deceased may recover compensation for the loss of parental guidance and nurturing.
- It may be possible to seek compensation for the loss of household assistance provided by the deceased. This term refers to household chores like lawn care, vehicle care, tax preparation, cooking, childcare, etc., that the decedent normally performed.
- Decedents will sometimes provide beneficiaries with the possibility of recovering inheritance loss.
- Punitive damages might be available to the family if the death was caused by egregious negligence, such as drunk driving, or was intentional.
The following video presents a brief explanation of wrongful death claims by accident lawyer Ed Smith:
Wrongful Death Attorney in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith. I am a wrongful death attorney in Sacramento. Wrongful death suits may be filed if a motorist killed a loved one due to his or her negligence. Contact our compassionate, knowledgeable accident attorneys at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly advice. Please feel free to also contact us by phone at (800) 404-5400 or online for more information.
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Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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