Accident on Browns Valley Road Claims Life of Driver
A fatal one-vehicle crash was reported in Yuba County near Browns Valley east of Vacaville on July 12. The accident occurred along Highway 20 (Browns Valley Road) near its intersection with Marysville Road at about 4:30 p.m. The accident report issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the collision happened when a Gilroy man, 27, in a Toyota Tacoma pickup went off the highway and struck several trees.
Accident Cause Being Determined by Investigators
The Yuba-Sutter office of the CHP said there was a “significant intrusion” into the pickup’s front end caused by the collision, and the driver’s injuries were fatal. Emergency personnel arriving at the scene declared the driver dead. The accident is being investigated by the CHP, and alcohol consumption has not been ruled out as a factor in the one-vehicle crash.
Release of Identity of Driver in Fatal One-Vehicle Crash Pending
The vehicle’s speed at the time of the crash has not been determined. The Yuba County Coroner’s Office has not released the deceased man’s identity pending notification of the family.
Dealing With a Family Member’s Wrongful Death
Nothing is harder than dealing with the death of a family member unless they died due to another’s negligence. The grief is overwhelming and tinged with anger and the need for justice. While it will not bring a loved one back, filing a wrongful death lawsuit will give family members a sense that the at-fault party is paying for their actions financially.
What Is a Wrongful Death
A wrongful death occurs when someone dies directly due to another party’s reckless or negligent actions. A wide array of accidents can lead to wrongful death. The most common types of wrongful death cases are:
- Car accidents
- Slips and falls
- Trucking crashes
- Workplace accidents
- Motorcycle collisions
If the accident that caused your family member’s demise is not listed, please call our office at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400. If you believe your loved one died due to negligence, it is important to consult a Sacramento personal injury lawyer with the experience and resources to address your concerns.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The following family members may bring a claim for wrongful death under the California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60 – 377.62:
- Wrongful death claims can be filed by a spouse or domestic partner. A putative spouse can also make a claim in a wrongful death lawsuit.
- The children, both natural and adopted, can file. Stepchildren who received 50 percent of their support from the decedent can also make a claim.
- In cases where the decedent’s parents received at least half of their support from him, they may be able to join the lawsuit.
- The grandchildren of the decedent may file if their parents have predeceased them.
Compensation for Wrongful Death Claims
The financial compensation to family members includes:
- Funeral and burial costs
- It is possible to recover the income or salary plus benefits, bonuses, and insurance earned by the deceased up to their normal retirement age. This also includes job perks and tips.
- Inheritance damages may be recoverable.
- It is possible for the surviving spouse, putative spouse, or partner to claim loss of consortium and emotional support provided by the decedent.
- The decedent’s children can claim the loss of guidance and nurturing he or she provided to them.
- The family of the deceased loved one may pursue a survival action if their loved one lived for some time before passing away. Unlike a wrongful death claim, a survival action covers both the medical expenses incurred before the death of the plaintiff as well as the individual’s property damage.
- In civil court, the family may seek punitive damages. Punitive damages do not compensate the family for their loss. Typically, they are awarded to a family to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior in the future. Your Sacramento personal injury lawyer can help you in this complex area.
Wrongful Death Attorneys in Vacaville
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Vacaville wrongful death lawyer. When your family has lost a loved one in an accident, they may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Contact us at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for our free and friendly advice. An online form to contact us is available also.
We are pleased to be California members of the Million Dollar Advocates and Top 1 Percent.
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Photo attribution: Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
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