Fatality Reported in San Joaquin County Crash
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Stockton division reported a fatality after a crash in San Joaquin County on the early morning of Sunday, August 22, 2021. The incident occurred on northbound Interstate 5 just north of West Turner Road shortly after 2:00 a.m.
Details on the Fatality Reported After a Crash in San Joaquin County
CHP traffic officers indicated that a Toyota driver was allegedly speeding excessively on northbound I-5 when it rear-ended a Lexus. The impact of the collision reportedly propelled the Lexus into a guardrail in the southbound median and caused a passenger to be ejected onto the roadway.
The Lexus driver suffered injuries described as moderate in the incident. Sadly, the passenger of the Lexus succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Their identity has been withheld as officials are working to notify their family.
A preliminary report by CHP revealed that the Toyota driver initially left the scene after the fatal crash. However, the Toyota driver was said to have turned themselves into the Lodi Police Department (Lodi PD). This was where CHP traffic officers detained him and arrested them on charges of driving under the influence (DUI) in connection to the car accident. Additional information on the traffic collision was not immediately available.
What You Should Know About Car Accident Cases
Nothing is more devastating than suddenly suffering injuries or losing a loved one because another driver was reckless or negligent. When a careless motorist gets behind the wheel, serious injury or even death is likely to occur. In California, wrongful death refers to any loss of life stemming from an incident caused by negligence. While no amount of money from a civil case may make up for the injuries or loss of a family member in a motor vehicle collision, it may help injured parties and surviving family members avoid any financial consequences that otherwise may arise after such situations.
In most cases, survivors may seek damages related to the loss of a loved one. This may include final medical costs, funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and more. Conversely, if the driver of one of the vehicles involved in a car accident was driving while intoxicated or excessively speeding, they may be held liable for punitive damages. This type of damage serves the sole purpose of punishing the at-fault party for egregious conduct; it is not intended to compensate survivors for their losses. Whatever the cause, it can be challenging to prove a personal injury or wrongful death case. This is especially true when dealing with difficult insurance companies.
When an independent investigation into the incident has been conducted and completed, the options of those injured or who have lost loved ones in a motor vehicle accident may be clear. While the most ideal situation would be that the traffic collision never occurred, damages from a personal injury or wrongful death claim may help with the aspects of covering unexpected losses from a devastating accident. If you have been hurt or lost someone you love in a crash, contact an attorney right away. Unlike the insurance company, a lawyer will have your best interests at heart and advise you of your rights and what to expect from your case. Watch the video below to learn how to find the best wrongful death attorney in your area.
How Hard is it to Prove Wrongful Death in a Car Accident Case?
How challenging it may be to establish wrongful death may depend on the facts and circumstances of the case. Liability in some claims is clear. However, other cases may require an independent investigation, eyewitness statements, evaluations by expert witnesses, and a collection of other types of evidence to support the claim. To seek financial compensation, the surviving family members of the decedent must establish that someone else’s negligent actions contributed or caused their loved one’s final injuries.
There are various elements in which must be proven in a wrongful death claim. Therefore, it is essential to work with a Lodi personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling fatal car accident cases. An injury attorney with years of experience will guide you through the legal process and work with your family in obtaining the best outcome possible in your case. To get started today, reach out to our law firm today and speak with one of our skilled attorneys.
Personal Injury Attorney in Lodi
I’m Ed Smith, a Lodi personal injury attorney. Families who have lost a loved one in an auto accident because of someone else’s recklessness or negligence may have grounds to bring a claim for damages. If you and your family reside in Lodi or elsewhere in San Joaquin County and would like to learn more about bringing a wrongful death action, contact our law firm today. We are prepared to help your family and offer free, friendly advice on how to move forward in your situation. Call today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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Our law firm has helped Lodi residents since 1982 to obtain the financial compensation and justice they deserve for all types of motor vehicle accidents resulting in injury or death. Go to our Verdicts and Settlements page if you would like to know more about how we have handled cases for other clients and resolved them on their behalf.
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