Passenger Killed in Fatal Car Accident in Stockton
A passenger was killed, and a driver was left in critical condition after a fatal car accident in the Stockton area on the early morning of Saturday, February 20, 2021. The motor vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Ponce De Leon Avenue and Lower Sacramento Road at approximately 1:30 a.m.
According to a report by the Stockton Police Department (Stockton PD), the driver of an unidentified vehicle collided with a light pole at the intersection. No other cars were involved in the wreck, and investigators are looking into the cause of the fatal incident. Additional information on the Stockton car accident, including the identity of the decedent, was not immediately available.
Loss of a Loved One to Wrongful Death
No family ever wants to receive the news that their loved one was wrongfully killed in a car accident. What is even more devastating is that insurance companies representing negligent parties often do not provide survivors with the full and fair compensation they need to move forward from their loss. That is because insurance carriers are in the business of protecting their bottom line and will do so by taking advantage of vulnerable parties in their time of loss and grief.
By representing surviving family members, our Stockton wrongful death attorneys are helping survivors seek justice and compensation for their loss while offering compassionate and experienced legal guidance along the way. If you have lost someone you love in a fatal crash caused by negligence, contact our law firm today to learn how we can help you and your family through this difficult time.
Types of Damages in a Wrongful Death Case
A wrongful death claim is intended to ensure surviving family members of the decedent are fully and fairly compensated for their loss. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, a wrongful death case may be brought by the surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children of the deceased. In each case, survivors may seek recovery of economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical and funeral expenses (costs of end of life care are usually recovered through a survival action)
- Loss of future financial support and benefits
- Loss of care, companionship, and support for survivors
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma
In some extreme cases where the actions of the at-fault party were particularly egregious, a Stockton wrongful death attorney may seek punitive damages. These are intended to punish the negligent party and deter them and others from similar actions in the future.
Is There Enough Insurance to Cover a Fatal Stockton Car Accident?
In some wrongful death car accident cases, is it not uncommon for damages to exceed the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits, especially if they only carry state minimum coverage. In other situations, the negligent party may be uninsured. This may put surviving family members in a financial predicament, especially if they depended on the decedent as the primary provider of their household. Fortunately, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) may come into play in either of these situations.
A UM claim can cover wrongful death damages not paid by the at-fault party up to the limits of the policy. Conversely, a UIM claim is supplementary and is intended to cover any losses not fully paid by the insurance company representing the negligent party. To learn more about the wrongful death claims process, watch the video below.
Get Legal Help from an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer
Because so much is lost when a loved one is killed in a fatal accident, wrongful death damages are often high. The full and fair value of a case is also challenging to determine. This is because experts such as economists must be retained to provide the estimation of a lifetime of lost wages and other financial losses.
Since there are many legal complexities involved in these cases and so much is at stake, it is essential to seek legal help from a Stockton personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling wrongful death claims. At our law firm, our injury attorneys have represented many families in San Joaquin County, including Stockton, to obtain the justice and fair compensation they rightfully deserve. To learn more about how our legal team can help you and your family, call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. The loss of a loved one is one of the most devastating events a family may experience in their lifetime, especially when it was unexpected and could have been prevented. If you lost a member of your family to a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, reach out to our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Call (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly advice on your potential legal options for recovery and how our legal team can help your family.
Learn more about our personal injury law firm by visiting the links below to see our client reviews and past case results:
We are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/love-gold-rose-cemetery-grave-dead-4814488/
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