Fatal Crash on State Route 99 Caused by Suspected Drunk Driver
A Yuba City resident was killed in a fatality crash with a suspected drunk driver on October 19 after his vehicle was struck head-on. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported the accident as occurring along State Route 99 near Sacramento Avenue south of Yuba City. A witness reported that a 27-year-old Yuba City resident was heading south along the highway in the wrong lane. His vehicle crashed head-on into a Honda Pilot driven by Gurdial Singh, 63, also a Yuba City resident.
Yuba City Resident Dies in Collision With Suspected Drunk Driver
Singh’s injuries in the collision were fatal. The wrong-way driver suffered major facial trauma and was transported to UC Davis Medical Center. A passenger in the wrong-way driver’s vehicle suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Marysville’s Adventist Heath/Rideout Hospital.
Suspected Drunk Driver Charged in Fatality Crash
Officials state that the wrong-way driver appeared to be intoxicated. He was placed under arrest for felony DUI as well as gross vehicular manslaughter while under the influence. The CHP traffic collision unit’s investigation into the fatality crash is ongoing and is consulting with the District Attorney’s Office in Sutter County. Those with information about the accident are asked to call (530) 645-6200 and ask to speak to Highway Patrol Officer Tatum.
Eligibility to File a Wrongful Death Claim in a California Fatality Crash
Under section 377.60 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, the surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children of the deceased join in filing a claim for wrongful death. Minors filing must have received at least half their support from the decedent and have resided on their property for 180 days. Parents may join in the lawsuit if they were residing in the home and supported by the deceased person.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim Within the Statute of Limitations
In California, those filing a wrongful death claim following a fatality crash have two years before the statute of limitations runs out. The court will not hear the case if the claim is filed after this date. There are exceptions to this law, including where it is a medical case or the death of a minor, in which cases the statute of limitations may be extended.
Recovering Damages in a Wrongful Death Fatality Crash
Following the fatality crash of a loved one, the estate representative or family may recover the following in compensation:
- The wages the decedent would have earned until retirement are recoverable, including insurance and pension benefits. If the decedent was self-employed, their tax returns and receipts can be used as sources of income.
- Recovery of compensation for the loved one’s funeral and burial expenses is possible.
- The spouse may claim compensation for the loss of affection and consortium.
- The family’s children may claim compensation for their loss of guidance.
- Compensation may be sought for work the decedent performed around the home regularly, such as lawn care or housework.
The video below by attorney Ed Smith discusses what to look for in an accident lawyer if you’ve been injured or lost a loved one:
Yuba City Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Yuba City personal injury lawyer Ed Smith. Drunk driving is a major cause of traffic collisions. Our team of accident attorneys offers free and friendly advice to those whose loved ones died in crashes caused by negligent motorists. You are welcome to contact us by calling (530) 392-9400. Another option is to contact us online or by using our long-distance line at (800) 404-5400.
Look for our client reviews on Yelp and Google to find out how our injury lawyers assisted many others to recover fair compensation. You are also welcome to visit our website’s Verdicts and Settlements page to see some of the cases our law firm has handled.
Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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