Head-On Collision on Highway 145 in Madera County
One person was killed, and four others were injured after a head-on collision on Highway 145 in Madera County on the afternoon of Saturday, December 19, 2020. The fatal car accident occurred on State Route 145 just north of Avenue 9 ½ at approximately 12:30 p.m. A 19-year-old Kerman man was driving a Chevrolet Cruze southbound on SR-145 and allegedly veered over the double yellow lines into the oncoming traffic lane and collided head-on with a Lexus RX300. The Lexus veered out of control and came to a rest along the east shoulder of the roadway. The Chevrolet traveled off the east side of the highway and caught fire, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported.
The Chevrolet driver and his 23-year-old passenger, also from Kerman, were taken to Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Fresno for treatment of serious injuries. The driver of the Lexus, a 31-year-old Fresno woman, and one of her two passengers, a 31-year-old from Reedley, were also taken to CRMC for treatment of major injuries, CHP traffic officials reported. Sadly, the other passenger of the Lexus was pronounced deceased at the scene of the head-on collision in Madera County. His identity has been withheld by authorities as notification of his family members is pending, and an investigation into the Madera car accident is ongoing.
How an Attorney Can Help After the Loss of a Loved One
Many families are reluctant to contact an attorney after a wrongful death car accident. No one expects or wants to be a surviving family member. However, as a survivor, you have rights and legal options for justice and compensation. Our Madera personal injury attorneys are committed to helping families affected by wrongful death by identifying all potentially negligent parties, conducting independent investigations of the incident, negotiating with insurance companies and defense counsel, and preparing the case to present in court, if necessary.
Our legal team has the experience, skills, and resources necessary to navigate the wrongful death claims process and obtain justice on behalf of surviving family members. We will not allow the insurance company to take advantage of your loss and will protect your rights. Our attorneys are available anytime to answer your questions and help you understand your legal options for recovery if your loved one passed away after a fatal head-on collision in Madera County. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
What Wrongful Death Damages are Available in a Madera County Head-On Collision Case?
Under a wrongful death action, survivors are allowed to seek compensatory damages for the intangible and financial losses they have suffered because of their loved one passing away in the fatal accident. Some of the economic and non-economic damages available in a wrongful death case brought in California may include:
- Related expenses surviving family members had to pay, such as medical and funeral costs.
- Lost companionship, emotional support, guidance, and protection from the loved one.
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma suffered by survivors.
- The loss of a close relative’s future income, employment benefits, retirement, and inheritance.
In some wrongful death cases, a Madera personal injury attorney may seek punitive damages from the at-fault party if egregious conduct led to the loss of a loved one. For instance, if a driver responsible for a fatal head-on collision was intoxicated or excessively speeding at the time of the incident, punitive damages may be sought by the attorney handling the case and awarded by the court. For additional details on these types of cases, watch this video.
Which Family Members Can Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
California law permits a wrongful death lawsuit for the benefit of the surviving child, domestic partner, or spouse of an individual who passed away because of someone else’s negligence. Other relatives may be entitled to wrongful death benefits under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60. This includes a decedent’s putative spouse, stepchild, parent, or child of the putative spouse. To discover your eligibility for a wrongful death case, reach out to an experienced Madera wrongful death lawyer today.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Madera
I’m Ed Smith, a Madera personal injury lawyer. The loss of a loved one without warning is a devasting, heartbreaking experience. When it happens because of someone else’s negligence, surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. If you have lost someone you love in a fatal head-on collision in Madera County, our car accident lawyers are available anytime to discuss your loss and determine your legal options for recovery. Reach out to our legal team today by calling (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400 and let us review your wrongful death case and provide free, friendly advice.
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Our personal injury attorneys serve families of Madera County and throughout California by proving negligence and holding the at-fault party financially accountable for their actions. To see how our law firm has helped families affected by the wrongful death of a loved one, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photograph Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/love-gold-rose-cemetery-grave-dead-4814488/
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