Fatal Head-On Collision on Avenue 12
Officials in Madera County reported a fatal head-on collision on Road 37 ½ and Avenue 12 on Sunday, November 14, 2021. The car accident occurred shortly after 12:00 a.m. and involved a white BMW and a gray Toyota RAV4.
Details on the Fatal Head-On Collision on Avenue 12
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived at the scene of the motor vehicle crash around 12:20 a.m. Investigators determined that the BMW was headed westbound on Avenue 12 while the Toyota was traveling eastbound. One of the vehicles reportedly entered the oncoming traffic lane and collided head-on with the other.
The BMW driver had three minor passengers in her vehicle at the time of the incident, CHP traffic officers reported. She was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno for treatment while the minor children were transported to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera. Sadly, the Toyota driver succumbed to their injuries. The Madera County Coroner’s Office has identified the decedent as 50-year-old Walter Cleven Jr. of Oakland.
What to Expect from the Wrongful Death Claims Process as a Surviving Family Member
The sudden loss of a family member is one of the most painful things anyone can ever experience in their lifetime. When it is found out that the loss was the result of another party or entity’s negligence, it may be more challenging to come to terms with it. Many families in these situations are unsure of what to do. Fortunately, California law allows surviving family members to seek financial compensation from the at-fault party for any wrongful act that causes a loss of life. The process involves bringing a wrongful death claim against the other party and their insurance company.
Working with insurance companies and their claims adjusters is not always straightforward as they may attempt to take advantage of surviving family members in their time of loss and grief. That is because insurers are businesses focused on protecting their profit margins by downplaying the value of fatal car accident claims or outright denying them instead of paying what claimants rightfully deserve.
As a surviving family member, it is best to have your wrongful death claim handled by an experienced accident attorney. The filing criteria and deadlines involved in such cases may be stressful and overwhelming, to say the least. Add to that the grief experienced from losing a loved one and difficult insurance companies not willing to do what is right. Since there is a two-year statute of limitations that generally applies to fatal car accident cases under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, it is essential to retain legal counsel immediately to get started on your case and protect crucial evidence before it is lost or destroyed. For details on how to find the best lawyer in your area to handle your claim, watch this video.
Can I Afford a Lawyer for a Car Accident Case?
At our law firm, we understand that families may be reluctant to seek legal representation because they may believe they cannot afford a Madera wrongful death lawyer who charges them retainer fees or high hourly rates. That is why our legal team handles cases under a contingency fee arrangement. This means that we do not require any upfront fees and will only charge for our services if we obtain a successful outcome in your case. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your family.
Personal Injury Attorney in Madera
I’m Ed Smith, a Madera personal injury attorney. Losing a close relative may be a painful experience at any time. When a family member dies because of the negligent or reckless actions of another party or entity, you may feel frustrated and angry. That is why our legal team would like to help you and your family. We have worked with many families dealing with similar situations and have obtained justice and fair compensation on their behalf. Learn more about how our accident attorneys can help your family by giving us a call today to receive free, friendly case advice from one of our lawyers at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400.
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At our law firm, we have handled wrongful death and personal injury cases since 1982. We believe that bringing civil cases often brings claimants justice and a sense of closure through holding at-fault parties accountable and honoring lost family members. Such claims may also serve to discourage the same negligent conduct from occurring in the future to other families in the community. To see how we have helped families with their cases, visit our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photograph Source: Pexels User “JamesLee”
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