Fatal Head-On Crash Reported in Stanislaus County
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a fatal head-on crash in northern Stanislaus County on the afternoon of Sunday, May 30, 2021. The car accident occurred on State Route 4 just west of Dunton Road at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Details on the Fatal Head-On Crash in Stanislaus County
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 43-year-old woman from Citrus Heights was driving westbound on Highway 4 in a 2002 Nissan Maxima. At the same time, a 61-year-old driver was behind the wheel of a 2016 Dodge Ram headed eastbound on SR-4. For unknown reasons, the Dodge and the Nissan were both involved in a head-on collision.
The Dodge driver was uninjured, CHP traffic officers said. The Nissan driver was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Sadly, she was pronounced deceased during hospitalization. Additional details on the motor vehicle crash, including the identity of the decedent and what caused the accident, were not immediately available.
What You Should Know About Insurance Companies and Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision may be devastating for all involved parties, particularly if catastrophic injury or wrongful death is involved. It is often frustrating to know that a car accident resulting in serious injury could have been prevented had the at-fault party exercised due care to all involved parties. Conversely, the sudden loss of a beloved family member may be heartbreaking for the family left behind to deal with immense emotional and financial hardship.
An insurance company may start working on a bodily injury or wrongful death claim immediately after a head-on collision. In cases where their insured may have been at fault, insurance carriers may attempt to place blame on the injured party or decedent to reduce their financial exposure. Discussing your case with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible is essential to receiving answers to your questions and guidance in how to deal with insurers.
Retaining an attorney is critical after a car accident in which you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one to protect your legal rights in recovering financial compensation. If you need more details about the personal injury or wrongful death claims process, a lawyer may provide you a breakdown of the legal process and assist you in recovering accident-related damages. For details on how to find the best attorney to handle your wrongful death case, watch the video below.
Types of Wrongful Death Damages Available for Survivors
While no amount of money can undo the tragedy of the loss of a loved one, surviving family members may be able to seek justice and financial compensation by bringing a wrongful death claim. Depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, survivors may be entitled to the recovery of the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Costs of medical treatment the decedent incurred because of their accident-related injury (this type of damage is generally recovered through a survival action)
- Bills related to funeral and burial services for a lost loved one
- Benefits, earnings, and future financial support the deceased would have provided to the family if not for the wrongful death car accident
- Mental anguish and emotional distress the family has experienced because of their unexpected loss
- Loss of care, companionship, guidance, and protection
If the individual responsible for the head-on collision demonstrated particularly egregious behavior, injured parties or survivors may be able to seek punitive damages from the at-fault party. These are not intended to compensate the injured party or family for resulting losses. Instead, they serve as a deterrent to the negligent party to not engage in similar behavior in the future. For instance, if a driver caused a crash because of drunk driving or excessive speeding, an attorney may be able to bring a claim for punitive damages on behalf of their client. To learn more, contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
Car Accident Lawyer in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto car accident lawyer. Any motor vehicle accident that results in serious injury or takes a life is a devastating event. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a head-on collision caused by another driver or entity, contact our law firm today for a free consultation. One of our attorneys will help you seek justice and fair compensation for losses incurred. Call us today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice from one of our lawyers.
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Since 1982, we have helped past clients and their families recover fair compensation in many successful Verdicts and Settlements.
Photograph Credit: By “GoranH” via Pixabay
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