Head-On Crash Fatality Reported on State Route 99
A two-vehicle head-on crash in the area of the Los Molinos school district east of Corning on June 10 resulted in a fatality. The collision occurred along State Route 99 between the S curves and the steak house around 2:55 p.m. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers arrived to find one person trapped inside their vehicle.
Head-On Crash Under Investigation to Determine Cause
One of the involved vehicles caught on fire, and although someone took out their fire extinguisher and tried to put the blaze out, it became fully engulfed. Two people had to be extricated from their vehicle.
Sadly, both drivers suffered fatal injuries at the crash site. Officials identified them as Celeste Young, 67, of Los Molinos, and James Hartley, 54, of Los Molinos. The CHP traffic accident unit is conducting an investigation to find out how the head-on crash occurred.
Claiming Wrongful Death
Your family may be entitled to compensation if your loved one died in a head-on crash due to the negligence of another driver. In the midst of grieving over their loss and making unexpected funeral arrangements, many families consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the party responsible for their loved one’s death.
It is one of the tasks an accident attorney can help you with to collect the evidence and calculate the damages you can recover as well as negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It gives the family a sense of justice, punishes the wrongdoer, and helps the decedent’s loved ones move forward, even if it doesn’t ease their grief.
Which Family Members Can File a Wrongful Death Claim
California law allows the immediate family of an individual who has died to file a wrongful death claim. The spouse and children are able to file together, including others who received at least half their support from the decedent. There is also the possibility of filing by the estate administrator. The family should work out the details with the estate administrator as there can only be one lawsuit filed.
What Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Claim
Certain factors, including the deceased’s age, are taken into account in wrongful death claims. Damages can be economic or non-economic, with the first group having a set monetary value and the second having an intangible value. However, damages are generally awarded in these ways:
- Costs associated with burials and funerals
- Pensions, insurance benefits, and future earnings of a deceased individual
- Participation in household duties, including cleaning, car care, tax preparation, and household maintenance, by the decedent
- The loss of inheritance
- Loss of consortium, social interaction, and companionship of the deceased’s spouse
- Children of a deceased parent are left without guidance, advice or parental nurturing, which cannot be replaced
- Grief and suffering after the loss of a loved one by family members
Corning attorney Ed Smith offers some tips on hiring a lawyer in the video below:
Personal Injury Lawyer in Corning
I’m Ed Smith, and I’m a personal injury lawyer in Corning. If your family member died because of another driver’s negligence, you might want information on recovering compensation. If you need free and friendly advice, you can reach us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. Contacting our accident attorneys is also possible through an online form. Let us review your case and explain your recovery options during a free consultation with no obligation on your part.
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As personal injury lawyers with years of experience, we have helped countless people obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Below are a few links demonstrating our success in helping others:
Photo attribution: Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
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