Fatal Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident in Pittsburg
A recent fatal pedestrian accident in Pittsburg, CA, claimed the life of one and resulted in the arrest of a hit and run driver. The incident occurred shortly before 10:00 p.m. at Shore Road and Seaview Drive in Bay Point. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), an Audi sedan was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed and struck and killed a pedestrian walking in the area. The driver of the Audi allegedly fled the scene of the fatal auto-pedestrian accident and continued into Pittsburg. The Audi driver was later found from witness tips and statements. They were arrested on multiple felony charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence (DUI), causing serious injury or death. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office has identified the decedent as 36-year-old Raymond McDaniel of Antioch.
Loss of a Loved One to Wrongful Death
The loss of a loved one is heartbreaking and devastating for the family left behind. When a close relative has been lost after an accident caused by the negligence of someone else, nothing can ever make up for the loss. However, a wrongful death claim is a legal option for surviving family members to seek justice on behalf of their loved one by holding at-fault parties financially accountable and recovering compensation to secure their future.
What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Fatal Hit and Run Accident Case
The state of California allows the immediate family of the deceased to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This includes the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children of the decedent. These types of cases are usually brought against the at-fault party’s insurance company after a fatal accident. In situations where the negligent driver fled the scene of a deadly crash, the decedent’s uninsured motorist coverage may be used to cover losses incurred. If the deceased did not have insurance but lived with a household member who does, that coverage may also be extended in such situations, so long as the deceased was not excluded from the policy. Survivors may be entitled to the following economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death claim:
- Care, comfort, and protection the decedent would have provided to the family if not for the wrongful death pedestrian accident
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Future financial support, benefits, and household services lost as a result of the wrongful death
- Medical bills associated with the final accident injury of the deceased
To learn more about these types of cases, watch the video below.
Determining the Value of a Wrongful Death Case
Calculating the value of wrongful death damages often proves challenging. While it can be straightforward calculating economic damages, intangible losses are much more difficult to quantify. The recovery of punitive damages can also be a complicated process as it must be proven to a jury that the at-fault party acted in a particularly egregious manner, like DUI or excessive speeding. An experienced wrongful death lawyer in Pittsburg can help survivors in determining the value of damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.
How a Lawyer Can Help Your Family with a Wrongful Death Claim
In many wrongful death cases, the insurance company representing the negligent driver will retain defense counsel to handle the complexities of a wrongful death lawsuit. Their sole focus is to minimize their financial liability and pay the lowest amount possible for the case. Surviving family members should have an attorney on their side who is experienced in navigating the insurance claims process for a wrongful death pedestrian accident and providing the best options for justice and financial recovery. At AutoAccident.com, we have the experience and resources needed to obtain justice and fair compensation for families affected by wrongful death to provide for a secure future.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Pittsburg
I’m Ed Smith, a Pittsburg personal injury lawyer. The unexpected death of a loved one is one of the most challenging ordeals for a family to handle in life. When the loss occurred as a result of someone else’s negligence, it can be particularly devastating for surviving family members knowing that their loved one’s death could have been prevented. If you have lost a loved one after an accident in the Pittsburg area or elsewhere in Contra Costa County, call (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice on how to proceed with a wrongful death claim in your situation.
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See a list of our past personal injury and wrongful death case results at our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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