Fatality Reported After Brentwood Head-On Crash
The Contra Costa California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a fatality after a head-on crash in the Brentwood area on the afternoon of Monday, September 7, 2020. The Labor Day car accident occurred on eastbound Highway 4 in the vicinity of Balfour Road shortly before 5:00 p.m. The CHP and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) were dispatched to the scene of a head-on collision involving two vehicles. Upon the arrival of officials, investigators found that a gray 2008 Nissan Altima collided head-on with a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The driver and passenger of the Hyundai were both taken by air ambulance to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek for treatment of serious injuries. Sadly, the driver of the Nissan, a 21-year-old Antioch man, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the decedent once their family has been notified.
California Law on the Loss of a Loved One
An unexpected loss in the family can affect us in many profound ways. The financial, mental, and emotional hardship connected to the loss of a loved one can last a lifetime. California law recognizes the immense damage that death can cause to a surviving spouse, domestic partner, children, parents, and other members of the family. This is why when a family member is killed due to someone else’s negligence, California law allows survivors to hold the at-fault party financially accountable for their actions and losses incurred through a wrongful death claim.
Types of Wrongful Death Damages for a Head-On Crash Fatality
Our law firm has helped families affected by wrongful death recover compensation for the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical or funeral expenses paid by the family of the lost loved one
- Loss of protection, guidance, companionship, and affection offered by the deceased
- Mental distress caused as a result of a wrongful death car accident
- The monetary value of household services and financial support the decedent provided to survivors, including future earnings, employment benefits, inheritance, and pension
Aside from the economic and non-economic damages awarded to survivors, California law also allows the family to seek punitive damages from the at-fault party in wrongful death claims involving egregious conduct. In the case of a fatal motor vehicle accident, a Brentwood wrongful death attorney may seek punitive damages from the driver responsible for the crash if they were driving at excessive speeds or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To learn more about these types of cases, watch the video below.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
The California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 states which surviving family members are granted priority in a wrongful death lawsuit. These include the spouse, domestic partner, or children who survived the decedent. Others who are eligible to file a wrongful death suit include the putative spouse, parent, stepchild, or child of the putative spouse if the deceased was not survived by a spouse, domestic partner, or child. Our experienced Brentwood wrongful death attorneys can review your situation, determine your eligibility for bringing a claim, and conduct an independent investigation of the fatal car accident to determine the facts surrounding the loss of your loved one. We will evaluate your claim and potential areas for recovery to help you take appropriate legal action. Contact us today so we can help you and your family through this challenging time so we can deal with difficult insurance companies and defense lawyers on your behalf.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Brentwood
I’m Ed Smith, a Brentwood personal injury lawyer. The loss of a loved one may result in emotional and financial hardship for those affected. This is especially true if the loss was the result of a wrongful death car accident. At our law firm, we help families across Contra Costa County, CA navigate the wrongful death claims process while protecting their rights with sympathy and compassion. To learn more, call our legal team at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to discuss your loss and provide free, friendly legal advice on your potential options for justice and recovery.
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Proud members of the National Association of Distinguish Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates.
Our law firm has helped obtain the justice and fair compensation a family is rightfully owed after the wrongful death of a loved one. This has helped surviving family members secure their futures and allowed them to grieve without fearing the possibilities of financial insecurity. To see results we have obtained for families we have represented in the past, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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