One Killed in Car Accident Near Woodbridge
One person was killed while two others were injured in a car accident near Woodbridge on the morning of May 26, 2019. The single vehicle accident happened at approximately 4:00 a.m. on westbound Highway 12 in the Delta between Rio Vista and Lodi just east of the Mokelumne River Bridge. According to a preliminary report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a 19-year-old Antioch woman was behind the wheel of a 2012 Chevrolet at an unknown speed in Terminus. As she drove toward the bridge, her vehicle veered off the roadway and crashed into a light pole. The impact of the collision reportedly ejected two passengers who were seated in the back seat of the vehicle. One of the passengers was taken to the hospital for treatment of unspecified serious injuries while the other was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials have identified the decedent as 25-year-old Tui Tofa Talia of Stockton. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of Mr. Talia in their time of loss.
Investigation of the Car Accident Near Woodbridge
According to CHP, drunk driving is believed to be a factor in the single-vehicle accident. After the Chevrolet driver was discharged from hospitalization, she was arrested and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence. She has been charged with three felonies including a DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 resulting in bodily injury, DUI causing bodily injury, and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Compensation in a Single Vehicle Accident
When a person rides as a passenger in a car with a friend or relative, they are placing their life in the hands of that person controlling the steering wheel. When that individual fails to exercise due care and causes a single vehicle accident, they may be held liable for subsequent damages. Many people may be hesitant about filing a claim out of a sense of loyalty to their friend or relative. However, reimbursement for losses incurred will be paid by the insurance company of the car involved in the single-vehicle accident, not by the friend or family member. If the at-fault motorist has insufficient or no insurance coverage, the injured party or family of a decedent may seek recourse through their own policy if they have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. For more details, contact an experienced Woodbridge car accident lawyer.
Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
Various expenses can arise after losing someone you love in a fatal car accident. These include costs of a funeral and burial and end-of-life medical care as well as financial disruption due to the loss of a family member’s support and income. California law allows specific family members to recover wrongful death damages, including the value of wages that the deceased person would have been expected to earn and supply to the household had the fatal crash not occurred. Even more crucial, damages may be awarded for the loss of consortium for a surviving spouse or domestic partner as well as loss of parental training and guidance for surviving children. If the claimant can prove that the negligent party acted with fraud, oppression, or malice, they may also seek punitive damages or exemplary damages to punish the at-fault party for the egregious act. For more details about wrongful death claims, watch the below video.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
When a loved one is lost in a wrongful death car accident, the psychological and emotional pain are compounded by the financial burdens the family now has to bear. A wrongful death lawyer can help in these situations by seeking the recovery a family needs and deserves to help pay for resulting losses. While no amount of compensation can replace the preventable and unexpected loss of someone you love, it can make a difference when it comes to overcoming the financial hardships that result.
Woodbridge Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Woodbridge personal injury lawyer. An unexpected injury or death in the family can have a life-changing effect on both you and your loved ones. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a single vehicle accident caused by the fault of another, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly case advice.
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I am proud to be listed as a member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Membership of the first legal group is limited to trial lawyers who have won $1 million or more for a client. The other legal organization invites only attorneys with excellent standards in legal representation.
For more information about our law firm and previous cases we have handled, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Picture Credit: By “jclk8888” via Pixabay / One Killed in Car Accident Near Woodbridge
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