Accident on Northgate Boulevard Results in Death of Pedestrian
A hit-and-run crash in Sacramento on June 20 resulted in a pedestrian fatality. The Sacramento Police Department reported the accident at about 9:00 p.m. near Northgate Boulevard and Tandy Drive. It was stated that the driver fled the accident scene after colliding with the pedestrian and is at large.
Police Seek Hit-and-Run Driver Following Pedestrian Fatality
A police investigation into the pedestrian hit-and-run accident is ongoing, however, no details about the vehicle or suspect have been released yet. The identity of the deceased pedestrian has not been released pending the notification of the family.
Losing a Loved One Because of a Wrongful Death
Negligent drivers cause many wrongful deaths each year in the Sacramento area. Many of them are hit-and-run accidents. Some of the ways in which a driver can be negligent and cause a pedestrian fatality include:
- Speeding is a major cause of pedestrian fatality. A driver who is speeding often doesn’t have enough time to get out of the pedestrian’s way and sometimes loses control of their vehicle.
- Distracted driving is another cause of a pedestrian fatality. Most cases of distracted driving involve either texting or talking on a cell phone. However, other distractions such as changing a radio station or checking GPS can also result in a collision.
- Drunk drivers and those who have been using drugs have problems staying in their lane, show poor judgment, and have slow reflexes. They are often responsible for a pedestrian fatality.
- Fatigued drivers are of particular danger after dark because they may not see someone on foot until it’s too late.
Filing for a Wrongful Death
Although a family is consumed with grief following their loved one’s death, it may also be a time to consider filing a wrongful death claim if the fatality was caused by negligence. Some of the areas in which the family can recover compensation includes:
- The family can recover the funeral and burial expenses.
- Wages the decedent would have earned until their age of retirement, plus any bonuses or other monies are recoverable, such as pension benefits and insurance.
- The spouse can claim compensation for the loss of consortium, which is the personal relationship between couples.
- Loss of inheritance is recoverable.
- Loss of guidance, nurturing and love provided by the decedent is recoverable by the family’s children by filing for wrongful death. This includes stepchildren who were supported by the deceased person by at least 50 percent.
Offering Support to a Family That Has Lost a Loved One
Many people want to show their sympathy and support for a family when they’ve lost a loved one. However, not everyone knows how to extend a hand to help a grieving family. Suggestions that follow might help:
- Send a sympathy card or flowers. If the deceased person had a favorite charity, making a donation in their name may be a good idea.
- Call or visit if it is permitted. Someone who is grieving often wants to talk about their loved one, and a sympathetic ear is appreciated.
- Offer to run errands such as to the pharmacy or to pick up groceries.
- Extending an offer to babysit children, mowing the lawn, and other activities around the house can be helpful.
- Many people send food to the house to help out. Those who are deep in grief often forget to eat.
- Remember that grieving doesn’t stop once the service is over. Stay in touch and continue to offer support afterward.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury attorney. If a loved one died, you may be able to place a wrongful death claim. It won’t help with the grief they feel for their loss but can help avoid financial stress and offer them a sense of justice. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 if you would like my free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online.
I’m honored to belong to Million Dollar Advocates and Top 1 Percent.
Our injury attorneys have helped many Sacramentans in getting fair compensation for wrongful deaths, all varieties of traffic collisions, and other claims since 1982.
Information about our law firm that may be helpful is located below:
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