Vehicle Collides With Motorcycle Along Highway 50
A motorcycle fatality accident occurred around 6:47 p.m. on Highway 50 eastbound close to Broadway Drive in Placerville. The Placerville Police Department said that Lori Hooper, age 60 and a Pollock Pines resident, was a passenger on the motorcycle when it crashed. She died in the collision, while the person steering the motorcycle suffered major injuries in the crash and was transported to a hospital.
Suspect in Motorcycle Fatality Accident Was Driving Drunk
The driver of the Jeep that collided with the motorcycle was a 47-year-old Cameron Park resident. He was placed under arrest at the accident scene and transported to the El Dorado County Jail but has since then been released on bail. He is facing charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence while causing great bodily injury.
Reasons for a Motorcycle Fatality Accident
Motorcyclists who are involved in a crash with a motor vehicle are more likely to suffer serious injuries or even die. There are 28 times more fatalities involving motorcycles than passenger vehicles due to the lack of protection and inherent instability caused by having only two wheels. A motorist is frequently at fault for a number of reasons when a motorcycle fatality accident occurs, including the following:
- A driver that rear-ends a motorcyclist can result in a fatality to that rider. Distracted driving and speeding are common causes.
- Accidents involving motorcyclists who are killed by passenger vehicles often happen when drivers make a left turn in front of their bikes. Drivers sometimes realize motorcycles are heading toward them but think they are further away and traveling slower than they really are.
- Motorcycle rider injuries or fatalities are possible when someone stops short in front of them. A rider who is thrown from his or her bike in an accident of this type often suffers traumatic brain injuries or dies.
- Not granting the right of way is another cause of a motorcycle fatality accident.
- It is possible for a speeding driver to kill a motorcyclist if they cannot avoid an accident or lose control of their vehicle.
Bringing a Lawsuit for Wrongful Death
It is incredibly painful, confusing and heartbreaking for the family to lose a loved one unexpectedly in a motorcycle fatality accident. In addition to grief, families also feel anger when the cause was the carelessness of a motor vehicle driver. Making a claim for compensation is far from the family’s mind. In addition, if the individual who died helped provide for the family, they soon realize that their problems may be increased by financial hardship.
Structure of a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the immediate family members (spouse, putative spouse, children, etc.). Not only is this a way of alleviating financial stress, it can also give them some justice for their loss. Damages include:
- It is possible to recover the costs of the funeral service and burial.
- The deceased’s earnings until retirement age are recoverable. It includes insurance benefits, pension plans and bonuses.
- The spouse can claim damages for the loss of consortium, moral support and affection.
- It may be possible to recover inheritance loss.
- In a wrongful death lawsuit, surviving children can recover damages for the loss of moral support, nurturing and guidance.
- The family’s loss of household services caused by the death of their loved one, such as tasks around the house, can be reimbursed.
Placerville Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Placerville wrongful death lawyer. Families of those who lost a loved one in a motorcycle fatality accident due to someone else’s negligence might be interested in learning if they can file a claim for wrongful death. You can get free, friendly and compassionate help from us by calling (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. If you wish, you can also contact us online.
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