Two Killed in Madera County Crash
On September 20, 2018, a head-on collision in Madera County claimed the lives of two parties and left two others with critical injuries. The accident occurred at approximately 6:00 in the evening along Avenue 9 in the vicinity of Road 40. A 45-year-old Fresno man was driving his 1993 Acura Legend sedan eastbound along Avenue 9 when his vehicle veered into the oncoming traffic lane and collided with a westbound Suzuki SUV. Medical personnel responding to the scene transported the Acura driver and a 1-year-old female passenger of the Suzuki to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Unfortunately, the Suzuki driver and their front-seat passenger were both pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials have identified the victims as 24-year-old Jessica Myers and 26-year-old Frankie Jose Rodriguez, both of Chowchilla.
I would like to extend my sincere sympathy and condolences to the friends and family of the two parties who lost their lives in this devastating accident.
Accident Investigation
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), alcohol and marijuana were reportedly found in the Acura following the fatal car accident. Officials reported a strong odor inside the vehicle. So far, the Acura driver has been arrested on charges of felony driving under the influence for the accident.
GoFundMe Account Established for Injured Child
The 1-year-old critically injured in the car accident discussed above has been identified as the daughter of Frankie Jose Rodriguez and Jessica Myers. She was admitted into a pediatric intensive care unit for treatment following the car accident. According to members of her family, the child faces a long and difficult road to recovery. We are so sad that this fatal accident has deprived her of the love, care, and support of her parents. A GoFundMe account has been created for the young girl to cover any necessities that she may need throughout her life.
Wrongful Death Claims
When a death occurs in the family due to another’s negligence, a claim for wrongful death may be filed by immediate family members to recover damages. These members may include living children, registered domestic partners, spouses, and those who were financially dependent on the decedent such as minors, parents, or stepchildren. To learn more about these types of claims, watch the following YouTube video.
Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Claims
Some of the damages that may be recovered in a wrongful death case include the following:
- Expenses for a loved one’s end-of-life medical care are recoverable in a survival action
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish caused by the untimely death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Income the deceased would have earned until his or her anticipated retirement
- Loss of moral support, attention, guidance, community, and love
- Punitive damages may also be sought in cases involving extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving
Time Limit for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
In California, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is two years from the time a family member passed away. If the case is filed after the deadline, it will most likely be dismissed by the court. It is essential to retain an experienced wrongful death attorney in Madera to ensure that all deadlines are met.
Madera Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Madera car accident lawyer. The loss of a loved one is a very traumatic experience. Losing them due to the negligent actions of another party is even more devastating. If you have lost someone you love in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, please call our experienced injury lawyers at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice.
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Madera County Crash Fatally Injures Two: AutoAccident.com
Image Source: By “Counselling” via Pixabay / Madera County Crash Fatally Injures Two
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