Two Men Lose Their Lives in I-5 Fatality Accident
A double fatality accident in Sacramento occurred on December 6 after two people were struck by a vehicle on Interstate 5. The collision was reported around 6:16 a.m. on Interstate 5 at the Sutterville Road on-ramp, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). When officers reached the accident scene, they found a Dodge pickup parked at the shoulder, which had apparently run out of gasoline.
Driver Crosses Solid White Line and Strikes Two Men
The driver of a Toyota SUV had pulled over to help, and one man got out of each vehicle. They were standing near the truck and reportedly putting gasoline in the Dodge pickup when a Ford Fusion driver, later identified as an on-duty detective with the Sacramento Police Department, crossed the white line and struck both of the men and the pickup. One of the pedestrians perished at the accident scene, while the other passed away as he was being transported to a hospital.
Authorities Investigating Fatality Accident
The driver of the sedan remained at the scene. Two lanes of the interstate were shut down as an investigation was carried out by the CHP. Officers do not think that drugs or alcohol factored into the cause of the fatal collision.
The two deceased individuals were identified as brothers, Lionel Enriquez Rodriguez, a Simi Valley resident, age 32, and Juan Carlos Enriquez Rodriguez, a Sacramento resident, age 33. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Rodriguez family to help cover final resting costs.
Cases Involving Wrongful Death Claims
Our firm has assisted many families who have lost loved ones in fatal car accidents. In the aftermath of losing a loved one, this is probably the last thing on a family’s mind. It can become difficult to manage finances if a loved one dies, especially if they were supported financially by the deceased. In addition to recovering their financial losses, family members may also gain justice and closure for their deceased loved one by filing a wrongful death claim.
California Recovery of Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
The damages that can be recovered in a wrongful death claim are governed by California law. Generally, the deceased person’s estate or the family can recover economic and non-economic damages for the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- The lost wages or earning capacity of the deceased individual
- Loss of household services
- Loss of consortium, support, love, guidance and comfort to those who were close to the deceased
Recovering Punitive Damages
In some cases, punitive damages may also be available if it can be proven that the defendant acted with malice or deliberate disregard for human life. Punitive damages are not intended to compensate for a lost life but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter them from engaging in similar conduct in the future.
In addition, if it can be shown that the deceased person’s demise was caused by a defective product or another type of negligence in which more than one party is responsible, a wrongful death claim may seek damages against all parties deemed liable for their proportionate share of fault.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, and I am a wrongful death lawyer in Sacramento. It may be possible for your family to file a wrongful death claim when someone else’s negligence caused your loved one’s demise. If you would like free, friendly advice, please call us at (916) 921-6400. You can also reach us by phone at (800) 404-5400 or by connecting with us online. One of our injury lawyers can evaluate your case and answer questions, as well as discuss possible compensation recovery options.
Here are some examples of how our injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com have helped others obtain compensation:
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Photo attribution: Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
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