Fatal Crash on SR-132 Near Vernalis
CHP traffic officers reported a recent fatal auto crash on SR-132 near Vernalis in San Joaquin County. The incident occurred on State Route 132 and involved two vehicles described as a Nissan Frontier and a Toyota Prius.
Details on the Fatal Crash on SR-132 Near Vernalis
A preliminary report by the California Highway Patrol revealed that a Toyota Prius was traveling northbound on McCracken Road at SR-132. At the same time, a Nissan Frontier was headed westbound on State Route 132. Both vehicles allegedly collided at the intersection. Officials said one vehicle did not have a posted stop sign, while the other did.
Sadly, Kathryn Pearce, 63, of Southern California, was declared deceased at the crash site. The other party, a 23-year-old woman from Manteca, was transported via air ambulance to a Modesto area hospital to treat serious injuries. Additional information on the fatal two-vehicle collision on SR-132 in San Joaquin County was not immediately available.
What is Wrongful Death?
When a fatal incident occurs and is caused by someone else’s negligent actions, the deceased’s family may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. This type of civil case seeks financial compensation from the negligent party or entity liable for causing the loss of life. While no amount of money may undo the pain surviving family members have experienced from the loss nor bring a lost family member back, economic and non-economic damages can help protect a family’s future from financial hardship. A wrongful death claim may also work to ensure that the at-fault party or entity pays the consequences of their negligent actions.
Per CCP 377.60, specific relatives of the deceased have priority when it comes to filing a wrongful death case. This includes the decedent’s children, domestic partner, or spouse. Other close relatives may be eligible to file a claim if these relationships are non-existent. This may include the deceased’s parents, stepchildren, putative spouse, and other surviving family members. With so many challenges and so much at stake, it is recommended that surviving family members be represented by a skilled and experienced wrongful death attorney. At AutoAccident.com, we have decades of experience handling cases like yours. Learn how we can help by watching this video.
What Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim?
In each wrongful death matter, survivors have lost something, and compensation is intended to compensate them for the financial hardship and intangible harm from the unexpected loss. If the decedent was the primary provider of the household, the family may lose the income that the deceased would have earned and contributed to the family for the remainder of their life. This would be based on factors such as the decedent’s age, education, career, health, and life expectancy.
Survivors may also seek reimbursement for loss of benefits, funeral service costs, and medical bills (end-of-life costs are generally recoverable through a survival action). Close relatives may also be compensated for the loss of love, companionship, care, and protection that the decedent brought to their lives. In cases where the other side’s actions were egregious, survivors may seek punitive damages. The sole purpose of such damages is to punish wrongdoers for egregious actions. In a fatal motor vehicle crash case, punitive damages may be available for DUI or excessive speeding.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. The loss of a loved one in a car crash is devastating. The accident attorneys from our law firm understand the pain and devastation that comes with the wrongful death of a close relative. Our legal team knows the importance of protecting a family’s future and obtaining justice on behalf of survivors. When your family turns to us for assistance, we will put our resources, skills, and knowledge to work for your case. For more details about how we can help, dial (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice on your potential case.
Additional details about our team of injury attorneys, including past case resolutions and client reviews, are available at these links:
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