Accident Kills Two Near Madera County
Accident Kills Two Near Madera County — A head-on collision in Madera County claimed the lives of two Oakhurst residents on September 7, 2018. Shortly after 10:30 in the morning, a driver of a 2013 Ford Fusion was traveling eastbound along Highway 145 when the motorist veered over the double yellow line and entered the oncoming traffic lane to pass a slower moving vehicle. The Ford driver reportedly entered the direct path of a westbound Hyundai Accent, which resulted in a severe head-on collision. The impact of the accident caused the Hyundai to ignite, sparking a small grass fire in the area that was extinguished quickly by emergency personnel. Medical responders transported the two adolescent passengers of the Ford to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Unfortunately, the Hyundai driver and another passenger of the Ford were pronounced deceased at the scene. The victims have been identified by officials as 51-year-old Karrie Lynn Peterson and 53-year-old Heidi Lynn Vanzeyl, both of Oakhurst.
I would like to send my healing thoughts and prayers to those grieving the loss of their loved ones during this difficult time.
Accident Investigation
A portion of Highway 145 was shut down for over three hours as emergency crews cleared the area of hazardous debris and officials investigated the scene. According to the California Highway Patrol, the Ford driver was arrested following the accident on suspicion of driving under the influence. It is not yet known what charges the Ford driver may face for this fatal car accident.
Wrongful Death Claims
When an individual passes away due to the negligent or wrongful actions of another person or entity, surviving family members of the decedent may be able to recover damages for that loss. Under California law, a wrongful death claim must be filed by a decedent’s family within two years from the date of their loved one’s death. If the case fails to meet the filing deadline, it is likely to be dismissed by the court. For more details, contact an experienced attorney.
Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Claims
Numerous factors are taken into consideration when determining monetary losses in a claim for wrongful death. Some of these include the age of the decedent, life expectancy, earning capacity, prior income, and more. Following are some of the financial losses that may be recovered for the wrongful death of a loved one:
- Emotional pain and mental suffering caused by the death
- End-of-life medical care
- Expenses for a funeral and burial of a loved one
- Loss of benefits that were provided through a decedent’s job such as healthcare, pension, and other employment-related earnings
- Loss of attention, love, community, and moral support
- Wages the decedent would have contributed to his or her household in future earnings had he or she lived
- Loss of consortium
Who Can Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, immediate family members of the decedent may pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one. Watch the following YouTube video to learn more about who can file a claim for a wrongful death. To see if you are eligible to file this type of case, contact an experienced wrongful death attorney.
Related Articles
- Madera County Accident Statistics
- How to Prevent Auto Accidents
- What You Must Do After an Auto Accident
Madera Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Madera Car Accident Lawyer. An unexpected death in the family can be a life-changing experience, especially if that loss was caused by wrongful death. To lessen the financial hardships of a loved one’s death, seeking assistance from a seasoned attorney can help. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime for compassionate, free and friendly advice at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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Accident Kills Two Near Madera County: AutoAccident.com
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