Accident on Jefferson Boulevard Claims Life of Motorcycle Rider
A motorcycle accident fatality happened in West Sacramento on December 26 in a collision with a truck. The collision, according to the West Sacramento Police Department, occurred at Jefferson Boulevard and Harmon Road around 5:20 in the afternoon. Medics with the Sacramento Fire Department assessed the rider’s injuries at the accident scene and then transported their patient to a nearby hospital.
Further Information About the Motorcycle Accident
Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save the motorcyclist’s life. The name of the deceased rider was released by the coroner’s office. He is identified as Steven Hancock. The accident is being investigated to determine how it occurred. No information was released on whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash.
Incidence of a Motorcycle Accident Fatality
Almost 5,000 motorcycle riders died on roadways in the United States in 2018, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fatalities to motorcyclists occur 28 times more often than those who are in passenger vehicles. Some of the major reasons for a motorcyclist accident fatality include:
- Left-turning vehicles: Because it is difficult to judge the speed of another vehicle when preparing to turn, too many motorists make the mistake of thinking they can complete the maneuver safely. By misjudging the distance of an oncoming rider, it can result in a motorcycle accident fatality.
- Stopping short: If a motorist is being followed by a motorcycle and slams on the brakes without warning, the rider can crash into them, which ejects the motorcyclist and causes serious injuries and fatalities.
- Dooring accidents: A driver or passenger in a vehicle that is parked at a curb and opens the door without looking for oncoming traffic can result in a motorcycle accident fatality.
- Lane-splitting accidents: Lane splitting is legal in California. However, a motorist may try to change lanes without looking for an approaching motorcyclist, which can cause a collision.
- Defective motorcycle parts: Defective brakes, tires or other parts of a motorcycle can lead to a serious accident or fatality.
Wrongful Death in a Motorcycle Accident
Losing a loved one is tragic, but losing them due to another’s negligence can be overwhelming for family members. Although each family deals with this tragedy in their own way, one common element they all share is the grief they feel. That emotion is augmented by the need they have to see justice rendered for their loved one.
Family members may also face financial chaos due to the loss of support provided by the deceased. Suddenly, they are hard-pressed to meet household bills on top of funeral and burial expenses. This is where a wrongful death injury attorney can help.
What a Wrongful Death Claim Can Do for a Family
Aside from bringing justice for a loved one, a wrongful death claim can help the family financially. Some of the ways a wrongful death claim can help are:
- The wrongful death claim can help pay funeral and burial costs.
- The wages the deceased would have earned in the future are recoverable. This also includes bonuses the decedent would have received and retirement claims.
- The family can recover the monies that have to be spent for household tasks normally performed by the deceased, including bill paying, lawn and child care, auto maintenance, etc.
- Loss of consortium between the partners is recoverable as well as the affection and care the decedent normally would have provided to the family.
West Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a West Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. I have helped many West Sacramento residents as they are dealing with the wrongful death of a loved one. Call me at (916) 921-6400, or reach out to me at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also message me online.
Aside from wrongful death claims, I’ve helped West Sacramentans and those in nearby areas in all types of car accidents, personal injury claims and traumatic events obtain the compensation they deserve.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/candle-light-candlelight-flame-2038736/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-lg0clbRM
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