Driver Killed After Car Accident in Fresno County
One driver was killed, and two other people were injured after a recent car accident in Fresno County. The crash occurred around 7:00 a.m. at the intersection of Road 120 and Avenue 432 near Orange Cove. A driver of a van approached a stop sign at the intersection but reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic and struck a Mazda, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The impact propelled the Mazda into a power pole in the area. One of the two occupants of the van was taken by ground ambulance to the hospital. The second party was transported via air ambulance to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Sadly, the driver of the Mazda passed away at the scene. Their identity has been withheld by officials until their family has been notified.
Loss of a Loved One
The most severe car accidents are those that cause someone to lose their life. Fatal car wrecks may occur through a wide array of circumstances, but most of them are often the result of another driver or entity’s negligence. When a loved one is lost in a crash, the decedent is not the only person affected. Instead, surviving family members are left behind to pick up the pieces of this tragic incident. California law recognizes how emotionally and financially devastating it is to lose a close relative in a traffic collision and provides families with the right to recover compensation from negligent parties through a wrongful death claim.
Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
Compensation in a wrongful death claim is intended to make a family whole after the loss of a loved one. Some of the ways that families may be compensated after losing a loved one include end of life medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, lost future financial support, and loss of emotional support. Other unanticipated losses, such as lost health insurance, pension, and household services, may also be recovered. The value of these economic and noneconomic damages are based on specific factors, such as the decedent’s age, health, education, earning potential, and life expectancy. Economists are often retained by wrongful death lawyers in Fresno to prove the reasonable and fair value of these damages to insurance companies. This can help estimate the compensation to which surviving family members are entitled.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Suit After a Fresno County Car Accident?
While it is true that there is no amount of compensation that can ever make up for the loss of a loved one, survivors should consider learning how a wrongful death claim works to help their family. Generally, the decedent’s spouse, domestic partner, or children are recognized as beneficiaries under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60. Other family members may have the right to seek monetary damages from the party or entity responsible for their loved one’s death. This includes the parents, stepchildren, or putative spouse of the deceased. To learn more about who is eligible for wrongful death benefits, watch the video below.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Wrongful Death Case?
There is a limited amount of time for which surviving family members have to file a wrongful death claim against a negligent party. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, a wrongful death action must be filed within two years of a loved one’s death. If a claim is filed after this deadline, the case will most likely be dismissed by the court, and the family may lose the right to take legal action. This is why it is critical to work with a Fresno wrongful death lawyer. A lawyer will ensure all filing criteria and deadlines are met in your case so that you and your family can focus on recovering from your loss.
Car Accident Lawyer in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno car accident lawyer. Death is a natural part of life, but when a close relative is lost because someone else caused a fatal car accident, it can be devastating for surviving family members. If you have lost a loved one in an auto accident due to the negligence of another driver or entity, you may be compensated for your loss through a wrongful death claim. To learn more, call me at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. I am available anytime to provide you my compassionate, free, and friendly advice on how to proceed in your time of loss.
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