Driver Arrested After Turlock Fatal Hit and Run
A motorcyclist was killed, and a driver was arrested after a fatal hit and run in Turlock on the morning of Monday, June 22, 2020. Shortly before 2:00 a.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) was notified of a hit and run motorcycle accident at Greenway and Lander avenues, just south of Turlock. CHP officers responding to the scene found a man, 50-year-old Joey Branco of Atwater, lying in the roadway near his motorcycle. Sadly, Mr. Branco was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigation of the Fatal Hit and Run in Turlock
Approximately 40 minutes later, a 49-year-old man contacted authorities from his nearby home to report that he was involved in a motor vehicle collision and left the scene. Upon investigation, officials determined that the man was driving a Volkswagen southbound on Lander Avenue when he made a left-hand turn toward Greenway Avenue, in the direct path of Mr. Branco, who was riding his motorcycle northbound. Unfortunately, Mr. Branco crashed into the Volkswagen and suffered fatal injuries at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run following his phone call to authorities. The CHP said the Volkswagen driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Surviving the Loss of a Loved One
Any motorcycle accident is a headache, but it can be even more stressful when you do not know who struck you. The aftermath of a hit and run accident can bring a wide array of questions and concerns. This is especially true in the case of the loss of a loved one. When a family loses a close relative after a hit and run, it is essential to reach out to an experienced Turlock wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Wrongful death lawsuits can be challenging, and having the right attorney on your side can make the difference in obtaining the solace and justice you and your family needs in your time of loss.
What Damages Can a Family Recover in a Wrongful Death Case?
In some hit and run cases, the at-fault party may not be located, or the suspect driver is found but does not have bodily injury liability insurance with which to compensate survivors. Families in such circumstances may seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer to help them file a claim against their loved one’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for economic and non-economic damages incurred. The policy may cover the end of life medical care and expenses, lost future financial support, mental anguish, loss of a loved one’s affection, companionship, and guidance, and any other harms related to the wrongful death of a loved one.
In a fatal hit and run case, surviving family members may be entitled to punitive damages as well. Punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future. These are not intended to compensate survivors and are paid by the negligent party directly, not their insurance company. For more information on the wrongful death claims process in California, watch the video below.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Loved One’s Wrongful Death
When the life of a loved one has been taken away in a hit and run motorcycle accident, the family may be able to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company or their own, varying on the facts and circumstances of the case. When faced with such situations, a family can depend on an experienced wrongful death attorney in Turlock to explore their full range of legal options for recovery. At AutoAccident.com, our attorneys can do just that and seek the justice and compensation surviving family members deserve for their loss. Call us anytime to set up a free consultation to see how we can help you through this difficult time.
Wrongful Death Lawyers in Turlock
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock wrongful death lawyer. A hit and run motorcycle accident may have devastating consequences for the decedent and their family, who are often left behind to deal with the emotional and financial aftermath. If you have lost someone you love after a motorcycle crash caused by a hit and run driver, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my compassionate, free, and friendly advice.
See client comments of our wrongful death law firm at:
I am listed as a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates.
Since 1982, we have obtained justice, and fair compensation for the harm surviving family members have suffered as a result of a loved one’s wrongful death. To see how we have helped resolve wrongful death cases for families in the past, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/rose-grave-cemetery-death-4372923/
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