Local Crash Kills Chico Motorcyclist
A Chico motorcyclist tragically lost his life during a local car accident that took place on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. The decedent was identified the following day by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office as 66-year-old Timothy Sonnenburg. Chico Police Department (CPD) officials indicated that this crash involved three vehicles, including two sedans and a motorcycle. The cause of this tragic collision remains under investigation.
Crash Information
According to CPD, the crash happened at around 4:11 p.m. on Forest Avenue within Chico. Officials said that a gold Nissan driven by an elderly woman was heading south on Forest Avenue between the intersections of Amanda Way and Springfield Drive. For unknown reasons, the Nissan drifted over the median and into northbound traffic. As the Nissan entered oncoming traffic, it collided head-on with a northbound motorcycle driven by Sonnenburg. After the initial collision with the motorcycle, the Nissan continued traveling south and eventually swiped a white-colored sedan, causing damage to its front end.
Response
CPD dispatched an emergency response team to the accident site directly after receiving notifications about the crash. Upon arriving, responders found that Sonnenburg was severely injured during the accident. Officials had him transported to a local hospital for emergency care. Tragically, he was not able to overcome his injuries and passed away in hospital custody later that night. Neither the driver of the Nissan nor the sedan was reportedly injured as a result of the collision.
Investigation
As CPD continues to look into the accident, officers have stated that it may have been caused by a medical condition. However, a full report on suspected factors remains unavailable. Additionally, collisions like this one can be caused by multiple factors, many of which drivers aren’t able to control, including pavement issues, dangerous roadways, malfunctioning vehicle products, and more.
Furthermore, accidents involving a fatally injured driver can be difficult to investigate. Because the decedent can’t give their version of events to investigators, it’s possible that police will overlook important factors that could be critical evidence in a wrongful death case. For this reason, it’s important to call a Chico personal injury lawyer who knows how to privately investigate fatal accidents. By doing so, you can ensure that the crash will be investigated with your family’s interests as a priority.
Wrongful Death Damages
Families facing a sudden fatal collision are often left in an extremely difficult situation. Losing a loved one is a tragedy, and coping with your grief can take time, effort, and the support of your loved ones and community. However, losing somebody also often means facing serious financial problems. In many cases, families are left with medical expenses related to procedures their loved one received before they passed away. On top of this, losing a family member can mean suddenly no longer having access to income or services that your household relies on.
To make sure that your family has financial security during a difficult time, you can file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation for the damages you and your loved ones have suffered. To learn more about what you are able to recover, take a look at the below video. However, it’s always best to have personal advice from a professional Chico personal injury lawyer who has experience handling wrongful death cases.
Other Blogs from Ed Smith, Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Highway Crash in Chico Puts Woman in Hospital
- Defining a Chico Personal Injury Lawyer
- One Injured During Chico Car Accident
Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico wrongful death lawyer. To receive free, friendly advice regarding your fatal accident case, please contact me as soon as you can by calling (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400.
I’ve been helping Chico residents obtain the compensation they deserve for wrongful death damages for more than 38 years. Before calling me, take a moment to review my list of settlements and verdicts. Additionally, see the outstanding reviews my prior clients have written about me on:
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