Man Killed in Crash on Paradise Road
Officials reported that a man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Paradise Road on the night of Wednesday, February 16, 2022. The incident took place around 7:30 p.m. just outside the city of Modesto limits at Paradise Road and Vernon Road.
Details on the Motorcycle Crash on Paradise Road That Killed a Man
Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a report of a vehicle vs. an off-road motorcyclist. A preliminary investigation revealed that a man was riding an off-road motorcycle in the area and proceeded through the intersection when an unidentified motorist reportedly entered the biker’s path. The motorcyclist allegedly struck the passenger’s side of the car, causing them to succumb to their injuries at the scene.
Authorities indicated that the driver involved in the fatal motorcycle accident reportedly left the scene, and officials are still searching for them. CHP traffic officers have not yet released the name of the decedent but said he was a 34-year-old man from Modesto. Those with information on the suspect driver involved in the hit-and-run accident are encouraged to contact the CHP Modesto area office.
Wrongful Death Claims and Motorcycle Accidents
The loss of a family member in a motorcycle accident is devastating and painful for any family to experience, particularly if it occurred because of another party’s negligence. In such situations, surviving family members may take legal action against the negligent driver in the form of a wrongful death claim against them and their insurance company. In situations where the at-fault party fled the scene, the family of the decedent may have recourse under their loved one’s auto insurance policy if they have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Keep in mind that evidence must be provided demonstrating that the suspect vehicle made contact with the decedent’s motorcycle. Those facing such circumstances may benefit from the assistance of an experienced attorney as a lawyer may have the resources to hire a private investigator to track down the driver responsible for the hit-and-run accident and hold them liable for damages incurred.
The purpose of non-economic damages in a wrongful death claim is to compensate surviving family members for the intangible harms they have endured because of the unexpected loss of a loved one in an accident caused by the negligence of another party. Conversely, economic damages serve to compensate survivors for the costs of medical treatment related to the final injury, funeral service expenses, and financial support the deceased person would have provided to the family if not for the wrongful death motorcycle accident. The value of such cases varies as they are dependent on factors such as the decedent’s age, education, earning potential, life expectancy, and health.
Who May Recover Damages in a Wrongful Death Case in California?
Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, specific family members are entitled to damages through a wrongful death claim. This may include the surviving children, domestic partner, or spouse of the deceased. When such relationships are non-existent, others may be eligible for financial recovery. This may include the decedent’s putative spouse, parents, stepchildren, and the children of the putative spouse if they had any.
Since there are so many factors involved in these cases, it is essential to work with an experienced Modesto motorcycle accident attorney with years of experience handling wrongful death claims. An experienced lawyer understands the many tactics that insurance companies will utilize to get out of paying claims, such as resorting to unfair motorcycle bias and will use their knowledge, skills, and resources to build a strong case to overcome them. This way, they can work toward a favorable outcome in the case on behalf of surviving family members. If all attempts at a fair settlement fail with the insurer, the accident attorney handling the claim will take the case to civil court for a jury or judge to decide an appropriate award for survivors.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto wrongful death lawyer. When your family turns to us for legal representation, you can rest assured that we will provide your family with the compassion you all need and work to protect your rights. This way, you can focus on grieving and recovering from your loss as well as the priorities that matter to your family instead of dealing with difficult insurance companies and defense counsel. Learn more about how our legal team can help your family after the loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident by giving us a call at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Our experienced accident attorneys are available anytime to meet your family, review your case, and provide compassionate, free, and friendly advice on how to move forward.
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The lawyers at AutoAccident.com have worked hard on behalf of surviving family members with wrongful death claims in Stanislaus County and throughout California. We have secured fair compensation on behalf of our clients since 1982, and we can help you with your case too. See some of the results we have obtained over the years by going to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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