Fatal Bicycle Accident on Navy Drive in Stockton
Officials in Stockton reported a fatal bicycle accident on Charter Way and Navy Drive on the early morning of Monday, November 8, 2021. The incident occurred shortly after 3:30 a.m. and involved a bicyclist and a commercial vehicle, according to the Stockton Police Department (Stockton PD).
Information by Stockton PD on the Fatal Bicycle Accident on Navy Drive
Stockton PD officers responding to the scene of the car vs. bicycle accident located a cyclist that was reportedly struck by a commercial vehicle. Sadly, the bicyclist was declared deceased at the scene.
The driver of the car was said to have stayed at the scene and was reported to be cooperative with authorities. No information about the decedent, including their identity, has yet been released by officials due to ongoing investigation.
How Can a Wrongful Death Claim Help Our Family?
The loss of a loved one to an unexpected bicycle accident is never easy for the family left behind to pick up the pieces. Grief may be even more challenging to cope with when it has been discovered that the loss was the result of another party’s recklessness or negligence. Surviving family members are often left to pay funeral service expenses and end-of-life medical care costs, not to mention dealing with the loss of emotional and financial support they received from the decedent. California law recognizes the profound impact of such a loss and provides survivors a way to hold the negligent party accountable through a wrongful death action. While no civil case may restore the loss or undo the pain that has been caused, it may help the family obtain the justice and financial compensation they need to move forward with their lives.
When a fatal bicycle accident occurs, the surviving family members of the decedent may bring a claim for damages incurred. The process generally involves filing a claim against the insurance company representing the party that was responsible for the incident. Depending on whether the driver is insured or carries a commercial policy, survivors may be compensated for economic and non-economic damages such as funeral costs, medical expenses, lost earnings, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and more. In situations where the at-fault party did not have liability coverage at the time of the traffic collision or carried policy limits that are insufficient to pay for resulting losses, there may be recourse available so long as there is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) available.
UM coverage generally comes into play when it has been determined that the other party did not have auto insurance coverage at the time of the motor vehicle collision. Conversely, UIM coverage may pay for damages not fully covered by the at-fault party’s policy up to the limits of the plan. What is useful about UM and UIM coverage that some people may not know is that it may extend to other family members in a household so long as they are not excluded from the policy. In the case of a fatal bicycle accident where a deceased loved one did not have an auto insurance policy but lived with someone who carried UM and UIM, a claim may be brought under that plan. For more information on the wrongful death claims process and what to expect from your case, watch this video.
Is it Worth Hiring an Attorney for a Wrongful Death Claim?
An experienced accident attorney may help by conducting an independent investigation of a fatal bicycle accident, collecting evidence of the negligent action that resulted in the loss of life, determining the value of the claim, filing paperwork on time, and negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf. In situations where the insurer is difficult and unwilling to make a fair settlement offer, a Stockton wrongful death lawyer will build a strong case to present in court.
Our law firm has over three decades of experience representing families with their wrongful death cases. When you are ready to discuss your case, we will be here to listen to your story, discuss your options for financial recovery, and what to expect from the claim moving forward. Give us a call today to arrange a free consultation to learn more about how our family can help your family.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. The loss of a loved one is devastating for any family to experience, particularly if it was the result of someone else’s negligence. In such situations, survivors may have options that may provide financial relief during this trying time. As experienced accident attorneys, our goal is to help your family seek justice and fair compensation for the losses you have experienced. To find out how our legal team can help your family, contact us today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to go over the details of your case and provide free, friendly advice.
These links feature ratings and reviews by our past clients:
Our injury lawyers have been recognized for our work with our clients and have been awarded membership into these groups:
Go to our Verdicts and Settlements page to view a list of cases we have previously handled and their outcomes.
Photograph Source: Pexels User “Iriser”
:ds llo [cs 903]