One Killed in Fiery Crash in Merced County
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that one party was killed in a fiery crash near the El Nido area in Merced County on the evening of Saturday, December 13, 2020. The deadly car accident occurred shortly after 6:35 p.m. on Highway 59 in the vicinity of Sandy Mush Road. A 2000 Chevrolet Blazer was traveling eastbound on Sandy Mush Road approaching State Route 59. At the same time, a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck was headed southbound on SR-59. Both vehicles reportedly collided at the intersection, according to CHP traffic officers.
Four occupants in the Ford F-150 suffered injuries in the Merced County car accident. All parties were taken to a Modesto hospital for treatment of minor to moderate injuries. The Chevrolet Blazer allegedly engulfed in flames, and a 28-year-old man was able to exit the vehicle from the front passenger seat. He reported no injuries, authorities said. Sadly, the driver of the Chevrolet Blazer suffered fatal injuries at the scene. He has not yet been identified by officials due to pending notification of his relatives.
Loss of a Loved One After a Merced County Crash
It is devastating enough when a loved one is lost in a car accident, but when they have lost their lives senselessly in a car accident caused by negligence, it may compound the grieving process with anger and frustration for surviving family members. The compassionate Merced wrongful death attorneys at our law firm understand the grief and pain you and your family may be experiencing and would like to help you through this difficult time. We can handle all aspects of your wrongful death claim on your behalf to obtain the justice your family is rightfully owed. If you have lost a member of your family due to the negligence of another, we would like to help you obtain what you need so you and your family can focus on recovering from your loss.
Which Family Members are Entitled to Wrongful Death Damages in California?
A wrongful death lawsuit in California is governed by state law. Immediate family members are allowed to recover wrongful death damages when they have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, you must be the deceased person’s spouse, domestic partner, or child. Other relatives may be eligible for wrongful death compensation if they were the decedent’s parent, putative spouse, stepchild, or child of the putative spouse. For more information on the wrongful death claims process and which family members can file, watch the video below:
How Can a Wrongful Death Case Help Our Family?
When an individual has lost their life in a fatal car accident, they may have incurred end of life medical treatment expenses, and then there are final resting costs which survivors are obligated to pay. If the decedent was the primary provider of the household, their family may be significantly impacted by their passing. While no amount of money can undo the pain that surviving family members have experienced or bring their loved one back, financial compensation from a wrongful death claim can allow the family to focus on recovering from their loss without worrying about how they will be able to make ends meet.
A wrongful death case can also obtain a sense of justice for survivors knowing that the at-fault party has been held liable for their negligence and to serve as a standard for preventing similar situations from happening to other families in the future. Relatives of the lost loved one may bring a wrongful death claim and recover the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Costs of medical care related to the final injury suffered in the fatal motor vehicle collision
- Expenses associated with a loved one’s funeral and burial services
- Lost benefits, wages, and future financial support
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection for surviving family members
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma
At AutoAccident.com, our Merced personal injury attorneys handle wrongful death car accident cases in Merced County and throughout California. If you need to discuss your case with one of our injury lawyers, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We are available anytime to listen to your story and determine the best course of action for you and your family to take moving forward.
Personal Injury Attorney in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury attorney. Coming to terms with the loss of a close relative can be extremely challenging. The grieving process for a loved one can be even more difficult when their passing resulted from someone else’s negligence. While there may be many thoughts running through your mind during this time, it is essential to know that a wrongful death claim may be brought in these types of situations to seek justice on behalf of a lost loved one. To learn more, call our car accident lawyers at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice today.
See reviews of our law firm and our past personal injury case results at the links below:
Our personal injury lawyers are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Photograph Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/love-gold-rose-cemetery-grave-dead-4814488/
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