Fatal Motorcycle Crash Near Farmington
Officials in San Joaquin County reported a fatal motorcycle crash near the Farmington area on the afternoon of Sunday, June 26, 2022. The accident took place around 3:00 p.m. on Escalon-Bellota Road in the vicinity of Gawne Road, according to CHP traffic officers.
Details on the Fatal Motorcycle Crash Near Farmington
A preliminary report by the California Highway Patrol revealed that a motorcycle rider was traveling southbound on Escalon-Bellota Road. At the same time, a Tesla was headed northbound on Escalon-Bellota Road. The Tesla reportedly entered the oncoming traffic lane, where it collided head-on with the motorcyclist.
Sadly, the motorcycle rider passed away at the scene. The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet confirmed the identity of the decedent. However, those who knew and loved the motorcyclist have identified him as Modesto resident, Mike Vargas Sr. in a GoFundMe page set up for final resting expenses.
Authorities suspected that alcohol and drugs were involved in the head-on collision. The Tesla driver, a 35-year-old man from San Francisco, received treatment for injuries described as minor after the incident. He was later booked into jail for unspecified charges. No other information on the fatal motorcycle collision has been released.
How Can a Wrongful Death Claim Help a Family?
While motorcyclists enjoy freedom and thrill on the open road, they may face significant dangers. That is because motorcycle riders are more likely to suffer serious injuries or lose their lives in collisions because of their lack of physical protection. However, motorcyclists are not always the cause of a crash. Driver negligence is often the direct cause of such situations. It may occur from the failure to yield the right-of-way to bikers, DUI, speeding, and other careless actions.
The family of a motorcycle rider killed in an accident may seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. These are intended to make survivors whole again. While no amount of money may ever make things right again, compensation from a wrongful death claim may help with covering items such as funeral expenses, lost future financial support, and more. Punitive damages may also be sought to punish the negligent driver for egregious actions, like driving while impaired.
There is not an unlimited amount of time to take legal action for a fatal motorcycle accident. That is because a two-year statute of limitations generally applies to these cases. However, if the incident involved a vehicle owned and operated by a government entity, such as a dump truck, the deadline may be shortened to 180 days. This means that a notice of claim must be filed with the public agency within six months. Failure to protect the statute of limitations that applies to the claim may result in its dismissal by the court. Discuss your case in detail with an experienced Stockton motorcycle accident attorney from our law firm. Learn more about us and how we can help by watching this video.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton wrongful death attorney. The unexpected loss of a close relative in a motorcycle crash is devastating and painful. Hiring an accident attorney may make all the difference in the outcome of a wrongful death matter. Fortunately, help from our legal team is only a phone call away. At AutoAccident.com, we are dedicated to obtaining justice and maximum compensation on behalf of those we represent. Call now to learn more and receive free, friendly case advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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We are members of many legal groups, including the Million Dollar Forum and Top 1 Percent.
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