Fatal Motorcycle Crash on State Route 99
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a fatal motorcycle crash on State Route 99 on the morning of Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The traffic collision involved a big rig, Toyota, and a motorcycle, according to CHP traffic officers.
Details on the Fatal Motorcycle Crash on State Route 99 and Pelandale Avenue
A preliminary report revealed that a Toyota was headed northbound on SR-99 in the fast lane. At the same time, a motorcycle rider was also traveling northbound in the right lane alongside the Toyota. For reasons not yet known, the Toyota was involved in a crash with the motorcyclist just north of Pelandale Avenue.
The impact of the collision allegedly ejected the motorcycle rider, 39-year-old Paul O’Hara of Hughson, off the bike. He reportedly landed in the slow lane of Highway 99, where he was hit by a tractor-trailer. The truck driver, a 65-year-old Merced man, informed authorities that he braked and veered to the right in an effort to avoid the motorcycle rider. Sadly, his efforts were unsuccessful as the big rig crashed into Mr. O’Hara causing him to suffer fatal injuries at the scene.
What to Expect from a Wrongful Death Claim
As painful and devastating as it is to lose someone you love, legal challenges may make the situation particularly stressful and overwhelming. Survivors are often left behind to deal with a wide array of unexpected expenses. This may include bills for end-of-life medical treatment and funeral services. Instead of having the time to properly grieve in peace and say goodbye, surviving family members must deal with financial hardship and difficult insurance companies. All this may have the potential to result in immense lasting trauma. California law recognizes the losses associated with the death of a loved one in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence and provides survivors a way of holding them accountable through a civil case. Unfortunately, navigating the wrongful death claims process may be challenging, especially when multiple parties are involved.
Recovering economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death case is not always straightforward as the other side may be unwilling to do what is right for surviving family members. That is because the insurance company and the at-fault party are looking out for their best interests and will often attempt to unfairly shift fault onto a decedent as a way of avoiding financial liability for the incident. Such situations are particularly common in fatal big rig crash cases. This may be distressing for survivors as their loved one is no longer around to provide their account of the accident and how it occurred. When facing such ordeals, it is best to have an experienced Modesto truck accident lawyer who can conduct a comprehensive investigation of the crash, work with accident reconstruction experts to determine how the incident and fatal injuries occurred, and build a strong case for fair compensation on your behalf. For information on how to select the best accident attorney to represent your family, watch this video.
Is There a Time Limit on Wrongful Death Claims?
In California, there is a strict time limit imposed on wrongful death matters known as the statute of limitations. In the case of a motorcycle accident fatality, surviving family members have two years from the date of loss to file a lawsuit in civil court if they have not yet accepted a settlement from the other side. Failure to meet the statute of limitations applicable to the case may result in the forfeiture of the right to seek compensation as the court may dismiss the case. That is why it is best to retain legal counsel immediately to ensure that all parts of your case are handled accordingly.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto wrongful death attorney. The loss of a close relative is devastating and painful, particularly if it occurred in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another driver or entity. If you and your family have experienced this, contact our law firm to discuss your story with one of our compassionate and skilled lawyers at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to meet, go over the details of your case, and provide free, friendly advice.
When looking for the best lawyer to handle your wrongful death matter, it is essential to find an attorney who has a history of supporting their clients every step of the way in obtaining fair compensation. To see our past client reviews and ratings, go to these links:
The accident attorneys at our law firm are here to provide your family with the support and guidance you all need during this challenging time. Let us take the burden off your shoulder by handling all aspects of your case to obtain the results you deserve. See some of the past resolutions we have obtained in cases on behalf of our clients by visiting our Verdicts and Settlements page. Our injury lawyers have been recognized by the Top 1 Percent and Million Dollar Advocates for our case result and have been awarded membership into both groups.
Photo Credit: By “StockSnap” on Pixabay
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