Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Taglio Road
Officials in Merced County reported a fatal motorcycle crash at the intersection of Taglio Road and Whitworth Road just south of Gustine on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 23, 2022. The incident occurred shortly after 4:50 p.m. and involved a 2004 Suzuki motorcycle and a 2019 Honda, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Details on the Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Whitworth Road and Taglio Road
A preliminary report revealed that the Suzuki motorcycle was traveling south on Whitworth Road while the Honda was headed northbound on Whitworth Road. The Honda driver, an 84-year-old Gustine resident, reportedly made a left-hand turn at the intersection in the path of the motorcyclist. Sadly, this resulted in a motorcycle accident that caused fatal injuries to the biker.
The Honda driver sustained injuries described as minor in the crash. It was unclear whether they were hospitalized for their injuries. Officials have recently identified the deceased motorcyclist as Ronny Paul Soares, 49, of Newman. A GoFundMe page has been established on behalf of Mr. Soares and his family to help cover funeral service costs. Additional information on the incident was not released by CHP traffic officers due to ongoing investigation.
Loss of a Loved One in a Motorcycle Crash
Wrongful death refers to a situation when an accident caused by the negligence of another party or entity results in loss of life. The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to provide compensation to survivors who have suffered intangible and financial losses because of their loved one’s passing. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, the deceased individual’s spouse, domestic partner, or children have priority to seek compensatory damages. If the decedent was not survived by any of these family members, other relatives may be eligible for filing. The economic and non-economic damages that are recoverable through these cases may include medical and funeral costs, lost household services, loss of earnings, mental anguish, lost companionship, and more.
The statute of limitations refers to the deadline for filing claims in civil court. In California, a two-year statute of limitations generally applies to wrongful death cases. This means that a family has two years from the date of a fatal motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit in civil court. Not meeting the time limit applicable to the claim may result in its dismissal by the court.
Understanding California law on these types of cases may be challenging, all while coping with loss and grief. That is why it is best to leave all aspects of your case to be handled by a skilled Merced wrongful death lawyer. An attorney with years of experience will know the best way to proceed with an independent investigation of the fatal motorcycle crash to properly determine fault, identify all negligent parties, work with experts in the field to prove damages, and build a strong case to present in the courtroom if that becomes necessary. Watch this video to learn how to find the right lawyer to represent you.
Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for a Fatal Motorcycle Accident Case
There is a wide array of things to consider when dealing with the loss of a loved one and a wrongful death matter. Such cases require substantial experience, skills, and resources to reach favorable outcomes. When your family turns to our legal team for assistance, we will guide you all every step of the way during the claims process. We will stop at nothing to obtain the justice and financial recovery you all deserve. Get started on your case today by scheduling a free consultation with one of our compassionate and dedicated accident attorneys.
Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced motorcycle accident attorney. Unfortunately, crashes between motorcycles and cars often result in devastating consequences for motorcyclists. When an accident is caused by someone else’s negligence and results in the loss of a loved one, survivors may take legal action against the at-fault party. The first step in pursuing a wrongful death claim is to discuss your case with an experienced attorney. Get started today with a free consultation by calling our legal team at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Our lawyers are available anytime to provide free, friendly case advice. Should you choose to work with us, we handle cases on a contingent fee basis. This means you owe us nothing unless we obtain the fair compensation your family deserves.
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At our law firm, we understand how challenging it may be to come to terms with the loss of a close relative in a motorcycle accident. While no amount of compensation may undo the pain from losing someone you love, financial recovery may help ease the burdens you and your family may be experiencing during this difficult time. Our legal team is here to obtain the justice and fair compensation you all deserve. Visit our Verdicts and Settlements page to see some of our past case results.
Photograph Attribution: By Pixabay User “victorvote”
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