Fatal Single-Vehicle Accident in Antioch
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a call of a fatal single-vehicle accident at 2:45 a.m. on Highway 160 at Main Street in Antioch on Sunday, January 24, 2021. The Antioch car accident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. on northbound SR-160.
Upon CHP traffic officials and emergency personnel’s arrival, it was determined that a black Hyundai Elantra reportedly exited the roadway and struck a center concrete guardrail. The Hyundai traveled down onto Main Street, located just below State Route 160. The Hyundai driver, a 25-year-old Oakland woman, was ejected from the vehicle upon impact and suffered fatal injuries at the scene. The release of her identity will be handled by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office.
Losing Someone You Love
Facing the loss of a close relative is never easy. The pain from the loss can be overwhelming. However, when a close relative is lost to premature death through the negligence or recklessness of someone else, the grief is often compounded by frustration, anger, and many unanswered questions.
Understandably, nothing can bring a loved one back. However, an experienced Antioch wrongful death lawyer can help your family find answers to your questions and obtain fair compensation for your loss. Our lawyers work with experts and investigators to review the case and determine who was responsible for your loss – whether it was another driver, government entity for failure to maintain the roadways or automaker for vehicle manufacturing defects.
When to Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit for a Fatal Single-Vehicle Accident
The filing deadline for a wrongful death claim in California is two years. This means surviving family members must file a wrongful death action with the court before the second anniversary of the loss. This two-year statute of limitations is found in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. However, specific circumstances may affect the filing deadline for a wrongful death lawsuit.
If a wrongful death car accident case involves a government entity for the lack of roadway maintenance or unsafe road design, the statute of limitations is reduced to 180 days or six months from the date of the fatal incident. In other words, a notice of claim must be filed with the appropriate government agency within the six-month statute of limitations to protect the statute to prevent the case from being dismissed by the court. For additional information on the wrongful death claims process and how it works in California, watch the video below.
How an Antioch Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
Proving fault for a motor vehicle collision in Antioch can be challenging due to comparative fault laws in California. This may give way for negligent parties to dispute liability for the incident or place blame on the decedent, potentially decreasing the financial compensation survivors may receive based on the percentage of negligence assigned to the deceased by a jury.
Establishing the facts of a wrongful death car accident case can be challenging without legal assistance. An experienced Antioch wrongful death attorney can help surviving family members overcome potential issues surrounding comparative fault by:
- Gathering and preserving compelling evidence to prove the other party’s negligence
- Interviewing expert witnesses
- Retaining investigators
- Negotiating with insurance companies and defense counsel
- Preparing the case to present in civil court, if necessary
All these steps can help prove a wrongful death claim and make it more likely that you can recover fair compensation for your loss and damages incurred. An Antioch wrongful death lawyer can do more for your family than just recover the compensatory damages you all deserve. Your attorney can ensure the at-fault party has been held financially accountable for your loss through a wrongful death case. Our law firm can offer the experience and resources your wrongful death case needs for a successful outcome to be obtained.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Antioch
I’m Ed Smith, an Antioch wrongful death lawyer. The loss of a close relative in a fatal accident is devastating and overwhelming for surviving family members left behind. The knowledge that the loss was the direct result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness can make it much more challenging to come to terms with. If your loved one was killed because of negligent or reckless actions, contact our personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation. Call (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice on your case today.
Learn more about our law firm by visiting the links below:
Our injury lawyers are proud to be listed as California members of many legal groups, including the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Picture Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/rose-grave-cemetery-death-4372923/
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