Fatal Motorcycle Accident in the Keyes Area
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a fatal motorcycle accident in the Keyes area on the afternoon of Friday, April 16, 2021. The incident occurred on Faith Home Road in the vicinity of East Taylor Road.
According to a preliminary CHP traffic accident report, a 50-year-old Turlock man was driving a Ford pickup truck northbound on Faith Home Road. At the same time, a Hilmar man was riding a motorcycle southbound on Faith Home Road.
For unknown reasons, the Ford driver reportedly made a left-hand turn in the motorcyclist’s path, causing the bike to strike the right side of the truck and eject the biker. Sadly, the motorcycle rider was pronounced deceased at the scene of the traffic collision. The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the decedent as Dwight Tucker, a 61-year-old man from Hilmar.
Losing a Loved One to Wrongful Death
When an individual has lost their life in a fatal motorcycle accident in California, their surviving family members may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim. This type of case is generally filed against the insurance company for the driver who caused the motor vehicle accident.
If the at-fault party did not have bodily injury liability coverage or carries minimal policy limits, survivors may bring an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim (UM/UIM) to ensure all resulting damages are covered.
However, auto insurance carriers are not always fair when it comes to placing a value on a wrongful death case. The same can be said for first-party claims. To ensure your right to fair compensation is protected, reach out to an experienced Turlock wrongful death attorney today.
Who is Entitled to Wrongful Death Compensation in California?
Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, specific surviving family members may be entitled to damages recovered in a wrongful death case. These survivors may include:
- The surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children of the decedent have priority
- Others who depended on the deceased for financial support, such as stepchildren, parents, putative spouse, and putative spouse’s children
To learn more about who is eligible to bring a claim for compensation after a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident in California, watch the video below.
What is the Statute of Limitations on Fatal Motorcycle Accident Cases?
The statute of limitations or filing deadline for a wrongful death claim is generally two years from the date of the incident. This is by the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. However, these filing rules may be subject to change under specific circumstances.
For instance, a fatal motorcycle accident involving government agency negligence is subject to a shorter statute of limitations. There is a 180-day notice for claims against government entities for unsafe road conditions, as outlined in the California Government Code Section 911.2. To determine the filing deadline applicable to your case, reach out to an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Turlock today.
Benefits of Working with an Attorney
A wide array of factors may impact the value of a wrongful death settlement for a motorcycle accident. Insurance companies will likely use these to their advantage to dispute or deny claims. It is best for surviving family members to reach out to an experienced attorney to start your case and protect their right to recovery of medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, lost future financial support, intangible losses, and more.
Taking legal action can be intimidating for survivors, but having a skilled attorney can help. Not only do lawyers understand the wrongful death claims process but also know how to overcome the defense tactics insurers use to downplay the value of claims or deny them. Contact our law firm to schedule a free case evaluation today with one of our attorneys.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Turlock Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
I’m Ed Smith, a Turlock wrongful death lawyer. If you have lost a member of your family in a fatal motorcycle crash in California caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have questions regarding your standing to bring a lawsuit. Contact our law firm anytime to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced wrongful death attorneys at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Our injury lawyers are available anytime to answer your questions and provide free, friendly advice.
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To see how we have helped other families impacted by wrongful death car accidents, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/love-gold-rose-cemetery-grave-dead-4814488/
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