Pedestrian Hit by Two Vehicles on I-80
A pedestrian died after being struck by two vehicles on westbound Interstate 80 in Citrus Heights recently. The traffic accident, reported to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. and involved three vehicles. The man who was one of the motorists involved in that accident was later identified as 47-year-old Sacramento resident James Frierson. According to reports, Frierson left his car and had reached the slow lane on foot when he was hit by a Chevrolet Equinox. After falling to the pavement, Frierson was struck by a Toyota FJ Cruiser operated by a Rio Linda woman, 53. Frierson died of his injuries. Both drivers remained at the accident site and were said to have cooperated with the police. All lanes of westbound I-80 were closed to traffic as an investigation took place. There was a report that alcohol use might have been involved in the pedestrian accident, but no specifics have been released. A GoFundMe page has been established by Frierson’s family to help with funeral and burial costs.
Losing a Loved One in a Pedestrian Accident
Receiving word that a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident is a devastating experience, and close family members often find it difficult to accept this tragedy. Although grief is not necessarily greater in an unexpected death, the person’s ability to cope may be lessened. This means that the bereaved person needs help from both close friends and other family members as they learn to accept the unimaginable. Some things that can be done to lessen the person’s burden are:
- Be there: It is important to reach out to the bereaved person any way you can. If possible, visit them in their home.
- Bring food: One of the last things the bereaved person may think about is what they are going to eat. Bringing prepared food to the house can help with that. It also gives them the sustenance they need to move forward at this difficult time.
- Cover responsibilities: Help cover their daily tasks. Depending on the situation, the bereaved may have small children or aged parents they care for every day. Help them meet these responsibilities, such as picking up children from school.
- Transportation: After a sudden death in the family, the bereaved will need to make funeral arrangements, bring clothes for the deceased and choose the burial method. Being with them during the completion of these tasks can be an immense help since they are usually extremely difficult.
- Pick up needed items: Offer to help by picking up groceries or prescription medicine for the deceased.
Watch the following video provided by Attorney Ed Smith on wrongful death claims:
Filing a Wrong Death Claim
If the decedent died due to someone’s negligence, families can file a wrongful death claim to help with burial and funeral expenses, as well as the loss of support the deceased provided. While this will not lessen the amount of grief the family members feel, it can help in lessening their financial burden. Such a lawsuit also allows the family to take a negligent person or entity to task for their loved one’s death. This gives the family a sense of solace. Reach out to your personal injury lawyer to learn more about this process.
What an Attorney Can Do to Help After a Pedestrian Accident
Your personal injury lawyer can provide the insight you need after a loved one’s death. Our firm starts by determining liability for the accident by sending our investigators to the crash site. They search for evidence about the cause of the incident and subsequent death by using accident reconstruction techniques and videos of the crash as it happened. The latter are often obtained from cameras on traffic lights or nearby homes and businesses. We also interview witnesses and review police reports for errors. Once all this information is compiled, we turn it over to our legal team, who uses it to build a strong case for our client.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Citrus Heights
I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death lawyer in Citrus Heights. Allow me to provide you free and friendly advice after the death of a family member killed by negligence. You can reach me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 and online.
I’ve helped numerous Citrus Heights residents since 1982 in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, among others, receive the compensation they deserve.
I am honored to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-lg0clbRM; https://pixabay.com/photos/mourning-death-die-trauerkarte-108781/
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