Fatal Accident in East Central Fresno
On September 5, 2023, the California Highway Patrol reported a fatal two-vehicle accident in East Central Fresno. The collision occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. along the eastbound lanes of SR-168 in the vicinity of Ashlan Avenue, officials said.
Details on the Fatal Accident in East Central Fresno
CHP traffic officers reported that the driver of a Dodge Charger allegedly lost control of the vehicle and collided with a Nissan Altima. Authorities indicated that the Nissan came to a rest on its roof in the center median.
The Nissan driver was transported to CRMC for immediate treatment. Sadly, they were declared deceased. Officials have identified the Nissan driver as 37-year-old Clovis resident Helena Rhinehart.
The Dodge driver was treated for serious injuries at CRMC. An update regarding their condition has not yet been released. An investigation into the fatal two-car accident on eastbound State Route 168 in East Central Fresno is ongoing and no further details were released.
What to Know About a Wrongful Death Case
Surviving family members may be eligible to receive reimbursement for non-economic and economic damages. Some of the available losses that a family may be entitled to include loss of companionship, mental anguish, loss of support, care, and love, loss of future earnings that the decedent would have provided to the family household, costs of funeral and burial services, and other relevant losses. In most cases, the surviving children, domestic partner, or spouse have priority to bring a claim forward. Specific exceptions may apply if there is no living spouse, domestic partner, or children.
The state of California holds to a time limit known as a statute of limitations to file a case of wrongful death. The clock starts on the date of the fatal incident. Most cases must follow a two-year statute of limitations. Every claim of wrongful death is unique in that the time to resolve the matter may vary from case to case. While some may be straightforward and resolved with an insurance settlement, others may be disputed by insurers, and filing the case may be necessary to protect the statute of limitations before it runs out.
While a wrongful death case cannot bring a family member back, it may help surviving family members receive some closure and financially cope with their loss. Most importantly, a wrongful death action will allow survivors to hold at-fault parties accountable and prevent similar situations from occurring to other families in the future. To file a claim for damages with the assistance of an experienced California wrongful death attorney, reach out to our legal team at AutoAccident.com. Since 1982, we have assisted families in similar situations to obtain justice and full compensation for their losses.
How Much Compensation Will a Family Receive?
The potential value of a wrongful death case will depend on many variables. This includes factors such as the decedent’s age, employment, earning capacity, education, health, and life expectancy. It may also be influenced by comparative fault, the amount of liability coverage available, and more. These cases are often challenging and overwhelming, and the last thing surviving family members need in their time of loss is to deal with difficult insurers and defense counsel. It is in the family’s best interests to work with an experienced attorney immediately to ensure that their rights are protected.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fresno
Motor vehicle collisions are traumatic experiences with lasting consequences, particularly when a loss of life is involved. If you lost a family member due to a crash in California caused by another party’s careless or negligent actions, our legal team at AutoAccident.com can help. Our Fresno wrongful death lawyers can help you and your family seek justice and full compensation. Get started with a free consultation when you call (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400. We are available to review your potential case and provide advice that is compassionate, free, and friendly.
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