Cyclist Dies in Hit and Run Accident
A cyclist was killed after a hit and run accident in Manteca, CA on the night of January 5, 2020. The bicycle accident occurred around 11:15 p.m. along the 1100 block of South Main Street. Officers from the Manteca Police Department were called to the scene of the crash. Upon their arrival, the driver involved in the collision reportedly fled the scene, and Good Samaritans removed the injured cyclist from the road. Authorities rendered first aid and life-saving measures on the injured cyclist. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office has identified the decedent as Andrew Martinez, 31, of Manteca. The driver responsible for the hit and run was later tracked down by police and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges of felony DUI, felony hit and run, and vehicular manslaughter. A GoFundMe page has been created on behalf of Mr. Martinez’s family to help cover his funeral expenses.
Loss of a Loved One
When a close relative is lost, the impact on the family may seem overwhelming. There may not be anything that compares emotionally to the loss. The financial hardship may be just as challenging, leaving those the deceased leaves behind without the support they need to maintain their lifestyle. When a fatal hit and run accident deprives a family of a loved one, they may be able to hold the negligent party financially accountable through a wrongful death claim. Learn how to handle this type of case by working with a wrongful death lawyer from Manteca.
Compensation for a Fatal Manteca Hit and Run Accident
Seeking compensation for the damage done by another party or entity is not always easy, particularly when wrongful death is involved. Even if the driver responsible for the fatal incident is charged, this may provide the family with some sense of justice, but it may not always ensure the means they need to recover from their loved one’s wrongful death. California law recognizes that such losses are devastating for the surviving family and provides a way to protect them from intangible and financial harm. To help surviving family members, the following economic and noneconomic damages may be awarded in their wrongful death case:
- Costs of medical treatment incurred by the deceased before they passed away (this may be recovered through a survival action)
- Expenses for a loved one’s funeral and burial services
- Loss of the decedent’s future financial support and benefits, estimating their projected life span and accounting for potential raises
- Loss of household services provided by the loved one
- Lost affection, care, companionship, guidance, and moral support experienced by you and your family
- Mental anguish and emotional suffering resulting from the wrongful death bicycle accident
- Punitive damages may be awarded by a jury to punish the negligent driver for their egregious behavior, such as driving while intoxicated
To learn more about wrongful death cases, watch the video below.
Does Insurance Cover Wrongful Death?
After a fatal hit and run, surviving family members may wonder how they will be covered for their loved one’s wrongful death. In situations like these, survivors may be able to seek recourse through their deceased relative’s auto insurance policy if they have uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. This type of insurance may cover those injured or killed in a hit and run. If the decedent did not have car insurance but lived with someone who did, the coverage may be extended to them under specific circumstances.
Why Do We Need a Manteca Wrongful Death Attorney?
Coping with the unexpected loss of a family member may seem unbearable. Taking legal action may not be on a family’s mind during this challenging time. A wrongful death attorney from Manteca will help account for all of the losses that a family has experienced after your loved one’s wrongful death. Their goal is to ensure a family is not taken advantage of by insurance companies in this challenging time. A wrongful death lawyer will also handle the communications and negotiations on a family’s behalf to ensure they all focus on grieving without financial or legal worry.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Manteca
I’m Ed Smith, a Manteca wrongful death lawyer. If a close relative passed away due to negligence on the part of another driver or entity, their family may obtain justice through a wrongful death case. For more details, call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice.
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I am proud to be a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates.
As a Manteca wrongful death attorney, my law firm and I have helped families across Northern California obtain the compensation and justice they need and deserve for fatal crashes involving their loved ones. To see how we have helped others, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Source: By “StockSnap” via Pixabay
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