One Killed in Tank Truck Crash in Fresno County
One driver was killed in a crash with a tank truck in western Fresno County on the morning of Thursday, January 7, 2021. The big rig crash occurred at approximately 5:45 a.m. at San Mateo Avenue and Clarkson Avenue. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), officers said the driver of an SUV was headed northbound on San Mateo Avenue. At the same time, a tank truck was traveling westbound on Clarkson Avenue.
The two vehicles reportedly collided at the scene, and the man driving the SUV succumbed to his injuries at the scene, CHP traffic officials said. The driver of the tanker was uninjured in the Fresno truck accident. The identity of the decedent has been withheld by Fresno County officials due to pending notification of close relatives.
Unfortunate Reality of Working with Insurance Companies After an Accident
The insurance company is quick to dispute the value of a wrongful death claim for a fatal accident as a way of limiting financial liability and protecting their bottom line. The insurance claims adjuster may act quickly to argue that surviving family members do not have a valid wrongful death claim, deny responsibility for the wrongful death car accident, or offer survivors an insultingly low settlement. The last thing a family should deal with in their time of loss and grief is discussing their claim with an unsympathetic insurance claims adjuster. Let our Fresno wrongful death attorneys handle communications with the insurer on your behalf.
Who Can Bring a Case for Wrongful Death in California?
Members of the family who depended on the decedent for emotional and financial support may be eligible for recovery of wrongful death damages. These are intended to help surviving family members recover from the loss of a loved one. These survivors generally include the immediate family like spouses, domestic partners, and children. Other family members who relied on the deceased for support may be eligible for wrongful death compensation as outlined in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60. This may include the parents, putative spouse and their children, and stepchildren. For additional information on who can bring a lawsuit for wrongful death in California, watch the video below.
What Types of Compensation is Available to Survivors for a Fresno County Truck Crash?
Surviving family members may be entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages through a wrongful death claim. These are intended to make survivors whole after the wrongful death of a loved one. While no amount of money can bring a loved one back or undo the pain from the tragic loss, compensation from a wrongful death case can help provide a more secure future for the family left behind to pick up the pieces. Some of the wrongful death damages available in a claim may include funeral costs, medical bills, loss of future financial support for survivors, and loss of a loved one’s protection, care, and companionship.
In some extreme cases of wrongful death, an attorney may seek punitive damages from the at-fault party, which may be appropriate in situations where the decedent suffered fatal injuries because of egregious conduct. In a wrongful death car accident case, punitive damages may be sought if the incident occurred because of excessive speeding or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI). Punitive damages are solely intended to punish the negligent individual and to deter similar behavior in the future to ensure other families will not experience the same losses as yours has.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno wrongful death attorney. The loss of a loved one in a fatal motor vehicle accident is devastating for any family to experience. At our law firm, we help families across Fresno County navigate the wrongful death claims process while protecting their legal rights with sympathy and compassion. Our injury lawyers have the skill, resources, and experience your family needs to determine your legal options for recovery and obtain fair compensation for your loss. To learn more about how our legal team can help your family, call (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400 to arrange a free consultation today. We are available anytime to provide compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice on your situation.
Learn more about our legal team by visiting the links below:
Our car accident lawyers are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Photograph Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/candle-red-rose-candlelight-rose-2288531/
:ds llo [cs 767]