Union Pacific Train Hits Pedestrian
A female pedestrian was killed on December 29, 2019, by a Union Pacific train in Sacramento after 7:30 in the evening. According to a Union Pacific spokesperson, the train was heading north in the vicinity of East Railroad and Napa avenues when the accident occurred. The pedestrian died at the crash site. The Sacramento Police are investigating the accident to determine why it happened along with representatives of Union Pacific. The pedestrian has not been identified pending notification of family members as of the time of this report.
Unexpected Loss of a Loved One
Hearing that a loved one has died unexpectedly can be overwhelming for family members. A person’s death due to an accident caused by a negligent party or entity can be perceived as unjust or unfair. In a death that comes without warning, family members might wonder how the accident happened and the trauma their loved one suffered at the end. A family member often needs to review the circumstances surrounding the person’s death repeatedly, giving their mind a chance to absorb this life-changing event. Other emotions might include regret, anger, or a sense that they somehow might have been able to prevent the person’s demise. Other common reactions are:
- The bereaved person may be exhausted or overactive.
- They may have trouble concentrating.
- The person may not want to eat.
- Sleeping may become a problem.
- Their emotions may change quickly, going from sad to angry about the person’s demise. The bereaved may become anxious and depressed.
How to Help a Bereaved Person
After the sudden death of a loved one, there are many things that need to be done. The bereaved may need help from other family members or friends. Here are a few of the tasks and how others can help:
- Notification: One of the first tasks that needs to be done is to notify family members, close friends, an employer, and a spiritual advisor such as a priest or minister. A friend or family member can help gather the names and phone numbers along with the grieving person.
- Deciding on a funeral home: Unless the person prearranged their funeral when buying a burial plot, it would be necessary to do this. If you know the deceased’s chosen burial method, such as cremation, it will help narrow down the choices. It is best to accompany the bereaved person to the funeral home since this can be a difficult time for them.
- Decide on supportive measures: In this time of grief, it might be difficult to render care to others, to children, or even a pet. Offer to help if you can.
- Offer to answer the door or phone if people begin coming to visit or call. Let guests or callers know their messages will be relayed.
- Help with paperwork: Many forms need to be filled out, including Social Security notification, Medicare, bank, and other agencies. Ask if you can help with these tasks.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
When a loved one is killed by another’s negligence, the family may have the ability to file a wrongful death lawsuit. To find out if this is possible, it is best to contact your personal injury attorney. A wrongful death claim is able to help the family with the financial damages associated with the loss of a loved one. This includes burial and funeral costs and the loss of monetary support the person provided, among other things.
How an Attorney Can Help
Even though your loved one lost their life, it is necessary to prove that negligence was involved. At our firm, we dispatch our investigative team to the accident site to determine why and how the accident happened. They do this by interviewing witnesses who saw the accident happen, and by obtaining video if possible. They may also review logs kept by train operators. Our investigators also carefully check the police report for mistakes. Once all evidentiary data is gathered, it is released to our legal team, who use it to build a strong case for our client.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death lawyer in Sacramento. If a family member has died, call me for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach me online.
I’ve helped clients in all types of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and other traumatic incidents for over 37 years.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Learn about my practice on the following pages:
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