Fatal Head-On Collision on Highway 140
The California Highway Patrol reported a fatal head-on collision on Highway 140 in Merced County on the night of October 13, 2023. The incident involved a Ford Expedition and a Ford Explorer, officials said.
Details on the Fatal Head-On Collision on Highway 140
A preliminary report indicated that a man, age 40, was behind the wheel of a Ford Explorer headed eastbound on SR-140. CHP traffic officers reported that the Explorer driver allegedly veered off the roadway and, in an attempt to correct their vehicle, entered the opposing lane and collided head-on with a Ford Expedition.
The Expedition had seven occupants at the time of the incident. Four passengers of the Expedition and the Explorer driver were all transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries described as moderate to serious. Sadly, the Explorer driver, a 67-year-old, and two passengers, a three-month-old child and a 69-year-old, were all killed in the crash.
The Expedition driver was later arrested for DUI. Additional information on the fatal head-on collision on Highway 140 in Merced County has not yet been released. An investigation is ongoing by the California Highway Patrol.
What is Wrongful Death?
A death is considered wrongful under California law if the loss of life occurs due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness. Wrongful death cases may encompass a variety of situations, like fatalities occurring in motor vehicle collisions, workplace incidents, faulty products, and other types of accidents. Surviving family members can hold an individual or entity accountable in a wrongful death case if there is clear evidence demonstrating that the other party could have reasonably prevented the fatal incident but failed to do so.
Filing a wrongful death action gives surviving family members a voice. It tells the story of the incident that claimed a loved one’s life and how the situation could have been prevented altogether had the other party not engaged in negligent or careless conduct. While there are financial components to any matter, it is essential to consider what such cases mean to survivors grieving the loss of a close relative. These cases provide an opportunity for the immediate family of the decedent to recover financial and intangible losses associated with the sudden loss of life.
Some of the losses that may be recovered for the surviving family of the deceased include lost wages and benefits from the decedent’s employment, funeral costs, medical bills (through a survival action), mental anguish, loss of companionship, loss of household services, and more. No two wrongful death cases are alike. Therefore, the value of a case will be based on the unique circumstances and facts involved. An experienced California wrongful death lawyer can help a family heal after loss and protect their rights. For more information, contact an experienced attorney near you.
Is There a Deadline on Wrongful Death Accident Cases?
According to the statute of limitations for wrongful death (CCP 335.1), surviving family members have up to two years from the fatal incident date to file a case in civil court. Given that there is substantial time that goes into building a strong case through the collection of evidence, coordinating with expert witnesses to support a claim, and establishing negligence, it is best to act quickly and retain legal counsel immediately. The right attorney will have the experience, skills, and resources to effectively manage your case from start to finish. Learn about our legal team at AutoAccident.com in this video.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Merced
Losing a family member in an auto accident because of someone else’s negligence or carelessness is devastating and painful. Not only was a loved one’s life cut devastatingly short, but a close relative’s wrongful death may leave survivors to deal with financial and emotional hardship due to another individual or entity failing to exercise due care. Surviving family members deserve to have the other side held liable for their actions, seek justice, and obtain a sense of closure.
An experienced Merced wrongful death attorney can assist surviving family members by helping them receive the full compensation they deserve for everything that they have been put through. At AutoAccident.com, our lawyers are here to support you and your family in your time of need. For a free case review, contact our legal team at AutoAccident.com at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We are available to answer your questions and provide free, friendly case advice.
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