Fatal Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident in Oakhurst
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Merced Communication Center received a report of a fatal hit and run pedestrian accident in the Oakhurst area on the night of Wednesday, July 7, 2021. The incident was reported to have occurred shortly before 11:55 p.m. on Road 427, just east of Elliott Drive in Madera County.
Details on the Oakhurst Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident
A preliminary investigation by law enforcement revealed that three parties were riding skateboards west on Road 427. A driver of an SUV was also traveling westbound on Road 427 and approached the group from behind. For unknown reasons, the SUV collided with one of the skateboarders, a 20-year-old man. The impact caused him to strike the ground and suffer serious injuries.
The SUV driver was said to have left the accident site and did not check on the injured party nor wait for the arrival of officials. When CHP traffic officers and first responders arrived at the scene, life-saving measures were performed on the injured man. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. His name has been withheld due to pending family notification.
Witnesses at the scene described the suspect vehicle as an SUV that was dark in color. It was described as a Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Cherokee with rectangle-shaped taillights and round headlights that were yellow in color. Authorities with the CHP Oakhurst area office are encouraging anyone with information on the hit and run accident to call (559) 658-6590.
What Families Should Know About the Wrongful Death Claims Process
When a loved one has been lost in a fatal car accident, survivors may seek financial recovery from the insurance company representing the other driver. In situations where the at-fault party has insufficient insurance limits to cover damages incurred, the family of the decedent may bring a claim through their underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to pay for losses not fully covered. Conversely, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may be used to cover damages resulting from a driver without liability coverage or a hit and run case where the motorist goes unidentified. What surviving family members should keep in mind is that it is not always clear whether the insurer will be fair when it comes to wrongful death claims for compensation.
Before a family may receive reimbursement of wrongful death damages, the insurance carrier generally investigates the incident to determine who was responsible. Establishing fault may involve recreating the fatal crash site, collecting witness statements, and reviewing any traffic incident reports in connection to the accident. It may take months or even years for insurers to decide who was responsible, particularly when liability is not clear.
When it comes to any insurance claim for a fatal collision, insurance companies may offer quick settlements in hopes of families accepting without understanding the true extent of damages incurred. An attorney will ensure that does not occur, conduct an independent investigation of the incident, and calculate the true value of resulting losses. For information on how to choose the right attorney for a fatal accident case, watch this video.
About Our Law Firm
An insurance company is often involved in a wrongful death case and can be challenging to deal with. Their goal is to pay as little as possible on claims as a way of protecting their bottom line. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal crash because of someone else’s negligence, contact our attorneys today. At our law firm, we will protect your rights and best interests at a time when your family needs it most. We will help you and your family get justice for your loss and the compensation you all need for a more secure future.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Madera
I’m Ed Smith, a Madera personal injury lawyer. When a family loses a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident, it can be challenging to come to terms with the loss and deal with the aftermath. The last thing surviving family members want to deal with is legal paperwork and communications with difficult insurers who do not have their best interests at heart. At our law firm, we have decades of experience handling wrongful death matters and will make sure your family receives the justice and fair compensation you all deserve. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help your family through this difficult time at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400. Our attorneys are available anytime to listen to your story and offer free, friendly advice on how to proceed with your wrongful death case.
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At our law firm, we have been assisting families in obtaining fair compensation for their losses since 1982. Helping surviving family members get the justice and financial recovery they deserve is our goal. To see some of the results we have obtained for clients in the past, visit our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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