Fatal Car Crash on SR-132 Near Vernalis
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a fatal car crash on State Route 132 near Vernalis on the afternoon of Thursday, March 17, 2022. The auto accident occurred at the intersection of State Route 132 and Koster Road around 3:40 p.m.
Details on the Fatal Car Crash on SR-132 and Koster Road Near Vernalis
A preliminary report by officials suggested that a 2006 GMC Yukon was traveling eastbound on Highway 132 while a 2014 Ford Focus was headed north on Koster Road. The driver’s side of the Ford was allegedly struck by the GMC, according to CHP traffic officers.
The Yukon driver, a 44-year-old Modesto resident, sustained injuries described as minor in the incident. It was unclear whether they received treatment for their injuries. The Ford driver, an 18-year-old Ripon resident, was transported via air ambulance to a local hospital for immediate treatment of unspecified injuries.
Sadly, a passenger in the Ford succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the identity of the decedent as 71-year-old Michael Maciel, the former mayor for the City of Tracy serving from 2014-2016. Mr. Maciel was also a U.S. Air Force veteran and a retired captain with the Tracy Police Department (Tracy PD).
Loss of a Loved One in a Motor Vehicle Collision
After the unexpected death of a loved one, it is often challenging to accept the loss if it is believed that it was the result of another party or entity’s negligence. Families facing such situations may benefit from a wrongful death claim as it may provide the justice, closure, and answers they need. Recoverable losses in these cases are intended to compensate survivors for the full value of life and represent intangible and tangible harms suffered because of the fatal incident. Economic damages may include funeral expenses, costs of treatment related to the decedent’s final injury, loss of future earnings, lost inheritance and benefits, the value of household services the deceased provided to the family, and more. Non-economic damages consider the mental anguish and loss of care, companionship, and protection surviving family members have endured.
The unfortunate reality is that insurance companies may attempt to downplay the value of a wrongful case or even deny it. It is often necessary for surviving family members to retain legal counsel immediately after a fatal car accident to ensure that they will not be taken advantage of by the insurer. An experienced Tracy wrongful death lawyer may help survivors by answering any questions they may have about the legal process, conducting an independent investigation of the incident, collecting and preserving vital evidence, obtaining copies of traffic incident reports, coroner reports, and medical records, working with experts in the field, and negotiating with the insurance carrier on their behalf. When all attempts at a fair settlement have been exhausted, the attorney will file a lawsuit in civil court to protect the statute of limitations and build a strong case to present in the courtroom if necessary. Tips on how to select the best lawyer in your area are available in this video.
Why is Hiring an Attorney for a Wrongful Death Case Important?
To bring a successful wrongful death case forward in California, all applicable statutes and laws must be followed. A skilled wrongful death lawyer in Tracy can help you navigate the legal process in a way that works towards your family’s goals and is most efficient. Keep in mind that a two-year statute of limitations generally applies to such cases and extensive investigations are often necessary to establish liability and damages incurred. Therefore, it is paramount to retain legal counsel to ensure that all aspects of your civil case are handled accordingly. Get started today with a free consultation with one of our compassionate and dedicated lawyers from our law firm. We offer compassionate, free, and friendly case advice anytime.
Auto Accident Attorney in Tracy
I’m Ed Smith, a Tracy auto accident attorney. Losing someone you love is devastating and painful, especially if it occurred because of someone else’s negligent or reckless actions. Under these circumstances, survivors may have grounds to take legal action against the at-fault party. The skilled attorneys at our law firm care about families in Tracy and throughout California. We are committed to obtaining the justice and sense of closure that surviving family members deserve. Our legal team has decades of collective experience handling wrongful death matters arising from car accidents and would be honored to help your family with your case too. Give us a call today to get started with free, friendly case advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
Go to the links below to learn more about our team of injury lawyers and what our past clients have had to say about working with us:
Our law firm has worked hard since 1982 to obtain the favorable outcomes they deserve in their personal injury and wrongful death cases. In recognition of our results, we have been invited to join as California members of these groups:
At AutoAccident.com, we care about those we represent and are dedicated to protecting their rights. Our team of experienced accident attorneys is determined to obtain the justice and fair compensation our clients need and deserve. See some of our past case resolutions featured on our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photograph Source: By “RoonZ NL” via Pixabay
:ds llo [cs 932]