Pittsburg Man Killed in Fatal Highway 4 Crash
A Pittsburg man was killed in a fatal crash on eastbound Highway 4 on the night of Wednesday, January 27, 2021. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported the car accident at approximately 8:12 p.m. on State Route 4 just west of Alhambra Avenue in Martinez.
Emergency personnel responding to the scene determined that a Lexus sedan allegedly veered off the roadway and overturned. The driver, 53-year-old Joel Tice Jr. of Pittsburg, was ejected from the vehicle upon impact. CHP traffic officials said he was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek for treatment. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries a short time later during hospitalization.
Loss of a Loved One
Losing a family member is never easy and when the loss occurred because of someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, it can be more challenging to accept and come to terms with. Such situations may be considered wrongful death under California law.
Wrongful death is a civil matter that can be linked to recklessness or negligence. If your family has suffered such a loss from a Pittsburg car accident through someone else’s fault, you all deserve justice. A Pittsburg wrongful death lawyer can help your family if a close relative was killed in a fatal accident because of negligence. Contact one of our attorneys today to set up a free consultation to discuss your case and potential legal options for recovery.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Action in California?
In California, specific surviving family members have the right to take legal action when a loved one’s death was caused by negligence. A wrongful death claim is a civil case that is intended to hold the negligent party liable for their wrongdoing. For instance, a wrongful death case may be brought after a fatal single-vehicle accident if it can be proven that it occurred because of someone else’s negligence, like unsafe road design or defective vehicle parts and equipment.
In such situations, a claim for wrongful death may be filed against the automaker or the government agency responsible for the upkeep of the road in which the fatal crash occurred.
Surviving spouses, domestic partners, and children of the deceased person may be eligible to bring a claim for wrongful death damages. This is by the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60. Other relatives who depended upon the decedent for financial support may also be eligible for wrongful death compensation. This includes the deceased individual’s putative spouse, parents, stepchildren, and putative spouse’s children.
Eligible survivors may claim economic damages for medical expenses, funeral bills, lost income, loss of future earnings, and other monetary losses. Non-economic damages such as loss of care, companionship, and support may also be included in a wrongful death case. For more details on the wrongful death claims process, watch the video below.
What is the Time Limit for a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under California law, survivors must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident that later resulted in fatal injuries. While the law allows surviving family members to bring a wrongful death claim within two years, that does not necessarily mean that they should wait too long to retain an attorney. With every day, week, and month that passes after a wrongful death car accident, the memories of critical witnesses can fade, and other compelling evidence may be lost or destroyed over time.
Importance of Bringing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Highway 4 Crash
Bringing a wrongful death case is not an attempt to place a dollar figure on a loved one’s life, as this can never be done. However, wrongful death actions are successful in the way in which they ensure at-fault parties and their insurance companies are held financially accountable for the harm they have caused. They also provide surviving family members the financial means they need for a more secure future. While no amount of money can undo the pain from losing a close relative or bring them back, a settlement from a wrongful death case can help offset the financial hardship of such a loss. If you would like to speak with our Pittsburg wrongful death lawyers regarding a potential case, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Car Accident Lawyer in Pittsburg
I’m Ed Smith, a Pittsburg car accident lawyer. Fatal accidents happen every day and often leave surviving family members shocked when they receive the call that their loved one passed away. A sudden loss may cause immense sadness, grief, and other types of emotional reactions. On top of this, survivors may experience financial hardship, especially if their loved one was the primary provider of the household. Fortunately, a wrongful death lawyer can help a family through this difficult time by helping them understand what legal rights and options and recovery they may have in their situation. If you lost a loved one in a fatal accident and are interested in receiving compassionate, free, and friendly advice from one of our injury attorneys, call (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 today to schedule a free consultation.
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