Pedestrian Collision Fatality in Madera
A fatality was reported by the California Highway Patrol following a vehicle versus pedestrian collision in Madera County. The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, shortly after 10:00 p.m. on State Route 99 and Avenue 20 1/2 just north of Madera, according to officials.
Details on the Pedestrian Collision Fatality in Madera
A preliminary release revealed that an Illinois man stopped his vehicle near the center divider of SR-99. He was allegedly hit by an oncoming vehicle described as a 2010 Ford, according to CHP traffic officers. The Ford driver, a 31-year-old woman from Chowchilla, said she was unable to avoid the pedestrian.
Sadly, the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The Madera County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the deceased as 32-year-old Des Plaines, Illinois resident Kelvin Cruz. An investigation into the possible contributing factors and cause of the fatal pedestrian accident is ongoing, according to authorities.
How a Wrongful Death Action Can Help Your Family
There is never an easy way to lose a family member. However, it may be even more challenging to cope with if the loss of life was the result of another party’s recklessness or negligence. The decedent is no longer around to provide their account of the incident and stand up against the party who caused the incident. Therefore, it is up to survivors to hold at-fault parties liable for their negligent actions through a wrongful death action.
The purpose of filing a claim for wrongful death is to award compensation to the family for the losses incurred. Such cases are generally brought against the other side and their insurer to offset any financial hardship and recognize the intangible harm caused by the at-fault party’s actions.
A successful wrongful death case may provide economic and non-economic damages. These may include medical bills for the treatment the deceased received for final injuries (recoverable through a survival action), loss of income, funeral expenses, mental anguish, loss of care, companionship, and support, and more. To determine your eligibility for a wrongful death claim, contact an experienced attorney near you.
How Much Time Do You Have to File for Wrongful Death?
There is a statute of limitations set on wrongful death matters. This dictates the amount of time a claimant has to file a lawsuit in civil court. In California, a surviving family member generally has up to two years to file. While this may seem like sufficient time, it is essential to discuss your case in detail with an experienced California wrongful death lawyer immediately following the loss of a loved one in an accident. An attorney may review your case in detail and discuss your potential options for recovery.
Filing a lawsuit for wrongful death may be the least of your concerns during this difficult time. It may be challenging to navigate the claims process on your own, let alone deal with difficult insurance carriers. It is best to have all aspects of your case handled by a skilled and compassionate attorney, such as ours from AutoAccident.com. Since 1982, we have helped families secure justice and maximum compensation. We can do the same for you and your family. Learn more about our California personal injury attorneys and our services through the video below.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Madera
I’m Ed Smith, a Madera personal injury lawyer. The sudden loss of a close relative in an accident is a tragedy that no family should ever experience. If your loss was due to the negligence or carelessness of another party or entity, our injury attorneys are here for you and your family. Get started with free, friendly advice on your potential case by calling (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400.
Through compassionate and skilled legal counsel, our law firm has established a reputation for success in California. Learn more about us and the successful case results we have obtained on behalf of past clients by visiting our Settlements and Verdicts page. Our client reviews are available for your reference on our Yelp, Avvo, and Google pages. We are proud members of the Top 1 Percent and the Million Dollar Forum.
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