Fatal Pedestrian Accident on Highway 99 in Merced
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating a fatal pedestrian accident on Highway 99 near Merced on the morning of Sunday, January 31, 2021. CHP traffic officers responded to the car-pedestrian accident at approximately 6:00 a.m. The incident occurred in the southbound lanes of State Route 99 in the vicinity of the Atwater-Merced Expressway.
CHP investigators reported that a car was traveling in the No. 1 of SR-99 at approximately 65 mph when the vehicle struck the pedestrian, who was reportedly attempting to cross the roadway from the west shoulder. Authorities also indicated in a preliminary report that the pedestrian was hit by another car and a big rig. Sadly, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The identity of the individual who passed away in the Merced pedestrian accident has not yet been released by officials due to pending notification of next-of-kin.
Losing a Loved One in a Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Merced
If you recently lost a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident, you may not know what will come next. This may be your first time coping with the loss of a close relative. While you and your family are grieving and recovering from your loss, you may be forced to navigate a challenging wrongful death claims process with the insurance company representing the at-fault party.
At our law firm, we believe surviving family members should not have to face this situation on their own. Our Merced wrongful death lawyers believe that negligent parties should be held financially accountable for their wrongdoing as a way of preventing similar situations from occurring to other families in the community. Through a wrongful death lawsuit, the at-fault party can be held liable for damages incurred. To learn more, reach out to an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Merced today.
Seeking Compensation Through a Wrongful Death Claim
During the wrongful death claims process in California, specific surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- End of life medical treatment costs
- Expenses for funeral and burial services
- Lost income, future earnings, inheritance, benefits, and household services
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of a loved one’s protection, care, and protection for surviving family members
To obtain the wrongful death settlement survivors rightfully deserve, an attorney will provide evidence of the negligent party’s fault in causing the fatal pedestrian accident. The Merced personal injury lawyer handling the wrongful death claim will also offer proof regarding the value of the case. For additional information about the wrongful death claims process and how it works in California, watch the video below.
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help Your Family
A Merced wrongful death attorney will start the claims process by notifying the insurance company representing the at-fault party of your case. A lawyer will also put any other negligent party on notice. For instance, if the driver responsible for the fatal pedestrian accident was on the clock at the time of the fatal incident, an attorney will notify their employer and immediately send a letter of preservation of evidence. During this time, the insurance carrier may also investigate the wrongful death claim.
For this reason, a Merced wrongful death lawyer often conducts an independent investigation of a fatal pedestrian accident because no family should ever depend on the insurance company to decide what occurred and who was liable. This is because insurers are in the business of protecting their bottom line and often do so by reducing the value of a wrongful death claim or denying it all together by placing blame on a deceased pedestrian.
To avoid the possibility of fault being apportioned unfairly, a wrongful death lawyer will collect and preserve evidence of the fatal pedestrian accident, like the CHP traffic accident report, photographs, video surveillance, eyewitness statements, and medical documentation. This will serve to properly determine fault on the part of the negligent party and recover full and fair compensation from the insurance carrier. If your family does not have your close relative’s medical records, an attorney can order those on behalf of surviving family members.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury lawyer. The loss of a loved one in a fatal accident is devastating and overwhelming for the family left behind to pick up the pieces. Fortunately, a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling wrongful death cases can help determine the best way of proceeding with a claim in your situation. To learn more about the steps to take after a fatal pedestrian accident to protect your family, contact our law firm at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to set up a free consultation. Our legal team does not charge any upfront fees under a contingency fee arrangement. You only pay us if we obtain fair financial compensation on your behalf.
Learn more about our law firm by visiting the links below:
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Photograph Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/guy-man-people-dark-shadow-hands-2617866/
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