Fatality Reported in Modesto Pedestrian Accident
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a fatality after a pedestrian accident on Highway 99 near downtown Modesto on the morning of June 1, 2020. The incident occurred on the northbound lanes of State Route 99 near Tuolumne Boulevard. A 59-year-old Modesto man was driving a 2017 Hyundai at approximately 65 mph when his vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the highway. The driver of the Hyundai stayed at the scene and was uninjured, the CHP reported. Sadly, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials have identified him as 37-year-old Louis Walton Jr. of Modesto.
Claims for a Pedestrian Accident Injury or Death
When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, they may suffer a wide array of injuries. Some pedestrians can get out of traffic as they await the arrival of first responders, while others may be unconscious and require immediate medical attention. Trauma to the head, internal organs, bones, and ligaments or muscles often require extensive rehabilitation to recover. While less time is needed to heal from minor injuries, they may still cause a need for proper treatment due to complaints of pain. Conversely, an accident may prove deadly in some severe cases. When this happens, a family may benefit from the assistance of an experienced and compassionate Modesto wrongful death lawyer. An attorney will do everything in their power to obtain justice for a lost loved one and provide surviving family members with peace of mind so they can focus on grieving without dealing with the challenges of a wrongful death claim on their own.
Options for Recovery After a Wrongful Death of a Loved One
A sudden loss of a close relative is a devastating experience for the family they leave behind. This may put all of their lives on hold and change everything, including their daily routines and their plans for the future. It can be even more painful knowing that a negligent driver caused a loved one’s passing. California law recognizes how tragic it is for a family to lose a loved one caused by the negligence of someone else and provides them with a way to hold them financially accountable for their actions through a wrongful death claim. This type of case may be filed against the at-fault party and their insurance company. If they do not have enough insurance or none at all to cover the claim, a family can seek recourse through the uninsured/underinsured motorist provision of their car insurance policy. For more information on the claims process for a wrongful death pedestrian accident, watch the video below.
Deadline for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim for a Modesto Pedestrian Accident
A statute of limitations establishes how long a family has to file a wrongful death claim. In California, the deadline for wrongful death lawsuits is two years, meaning surviving family members have two years from the date of their loved one’s accident to file. If a claim is not filed by the deadline, the court has the right to dismiss a wrongful death case without review, and the family may lose the right to recover compensation. Determining when the statutory deadline must be met can be challenging, depending on the details of the case. A Modesto wrongful death attorney can ensure a family will know how much time they have to file a lawsuit if all attempts at fair compensation through a wrongful death claim fail with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury lawyer. A pedestrian has no form of physical protection in an accident. This may likely increase their risk of injury from the initial impact of the vehicle, striking them and other trauma when they fall to the ground. Unfortunately, pedestrian accident injuries are often catastrophic or even fatal since there is nothing to absorb the impact of the collision. If you have been injured or lost a loved one after a pedestrian accident in the Modesto area, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice. We can set up a free consultation to discuss what happened, the facts and circumstances of your case, and what you are eligible to recover. Should you decide to retain me as your lawyer, I will be at your side every step of the way and handle your case on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not owe me any attorneys’ fees unless I recover fair compensation on your behalf.
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At AutoAccident.com, our Modesto personal injury attorneys are dedicated to providing a path forward after a traumatic accident. To see how we have helped others get their lives back on track after a crash and recover the compensation they deserve, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Credit: By “Dominic_Winkel” via Pixabay
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