Modesto Pedestrian Killed in Traffic Collision
A 57-year-old Modesto pedestrian was killed in a traffic collision on the night of September 23, 2019. The pedestrian accident occurred around 9:10 p.m. along the East Keyes Road on-ramp to northbound Highway 99. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said a 34-year-old Ceres man was driving his 2009 Nissan sedan and tried to enter the highway when he struck an unknown object. He immediately pulled his vehicle over onto the shoulder of the roadway and contacted 911. First responders arrived at the scene and found an injured male pedestrian lying along the on-ramp. Sadly, he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The decedent has been identified. However, his name has been withheld until his family has been notified by officials.
Losing a Loved One in a Traffic Collision
A tragedy in the family may leave emotional and financial devastation in their wake. No one would want to imagine that a family member’s life was taken away due to the negligence of another. It is normal to experience an intense wave of emotions in times like these. This includes anger, frustration, sadness, fear, confusion, and anxiety. For those who are undergoing such traumatic events, it may be difficult to continue their daily routine. If you and your family have experienced this, do not suffer your tragic loss in silence. A Modesto wrongful death lawyer can help guide you and your family through the claims process to hold those responsible for your loved one’s death. You can rest assured knowing your case is in good hands while you and your family focus on grieving and recovering from your loss.
Does Insurance Cover Wrongful Death in a Traffic Collision?
After losing a loved one in a Modesto pedestrian accident, a family may be wondering who will be covering their unexpected losses. In these situations, survivors will need to file a wrongful death claim with the negligent driver’s auto insurance company for resulting damages. If the driver responsible for a loved one’s death has little to no liability insurance, surviving family members may turn to their loved one’s car insurance if they have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This covers those killed in a traffic collision with a driver who has insufficient policy limits or no insurance at all. If the decedent did not have insurance at the time of their passing but lived with a relative who had this type of coverage, there may be recourse available. A claim may be filed against that relative’s policy so long as the deceased was not listed as an excluded member. Moreover, some of the economic and noneconomic damages that may be claimed in these cases include:
- Costs of end of life medical care are recoverable through a survival action
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Mental anguish and emotional distress survivors suffered
- Loss of anticipated future financial support that the loved one would have provided to his or her family
- Loss of protection, care, love, and companionship from the decedent
- Lost pension, medical insurance, and other benefits
For more details on these types of cases, watch the below video.
What Can a Wrongful Death Lawyer Do for Our Family?
Insurance companies are focused on their bottom line. This means they will use any tactic to avoid paying a fair settlement for a wrongful death claim. An insurance claims adjuster may attempt to pinpoint fault for the pedestrian accident on a deceased loved one. In other cases, they may say that wrongful death damages incurred were less than what the family is claiming. In either of these situations, a Modesto wrongful death lawyer will see through this and conduct an independent investigation into the incident to properly determine liability. Sometimes, negligence on the part of a government entity may be involved in these cases. An attorney will look at factors such as street lighting, visibility, signage, and how well pedestrian crosswalks are painted. The lawyer will also examine the condition and design of the road and whether any vegetation caused obstruction for the negligent motorist’s view of the road. This way, the attorney can build a strong case and hold negligent parties accountable for the compensation they owe to a grieving family.
Wrongful Death Attorneys in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto wrongful death attorney. The loss of a loved one may be a challenging experience for any family to go through. When a loved one is lost due to the negligence of someone else, this may compound the family’s grief with anger and frustration. In such situations, an experienced attorney can help by answering surviving family member’s questions and holding negligent parties financially responsible for their loved one’s wrongful death. If you and your family have lost someone you love due to the negligent or careless acts of another, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice.
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I am proud to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Membership of the first forum is reserved to trial lawyers who have obtained over $1 million for a past client through a settlement or verdict. The other group recognizes lawyers who exhibit high standards of legal excellence in their practice.
As a Modesto wrongful death lawyer, I have helped many families obtain fair compensation from negligent parties for their wrongful death cases. To see how I have helped others, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Source: By “StockSnap” via Pixabay
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