Stockton Boulevard Is Scene of Latest Pedestrian Fatality
A pedestrian fatality occurred in Sacramento on March 16 along Stockton Boulevard after an individual was struck by a motorist while trying to cross in the middle of the block. The accident occurred around 1:17 in the morning south of Mack Road in the North Laguna, Valley High area of the city. The driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with the Sacramento Police Department. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and emergency responders with the Sacramento Fire Department were also on hand. Police were the first to arrive and attempted to administer aid to the pedestrian, however, the person died at the scene. The area around the accident on Stockton Boulevard remained closed following the pedestrian fatality for several hours while police investigated.
Risk of a Pedestrian Fatality
Pedestrians are vulnerable to severe injuries and fatalities, and the number of pedestrian deaths in the Sacramento area has been increasing. In 2017, there were 217 injuries and fatalities of pedestrians in Sacramento itself, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Many of these accidents are caused by driver error such as speeding, running a red light, or distracted driving. When negligence is the cause of a pedestrian fatality, the family may wish to place a claim for compensation. While it will not ease their grief, it can help with the funeral, burial, and other expenses, as well as in seeking justice for the loss of their loved one. An experienced attorney can help a grieving family get fair compensation.
Helping After the Loss of a Loved One
Families are left with a big void when they lose a loved one, and the grieving process does not end for a long time for some. However, there are ways that friends, other family members, and colleagues can help them through that process. Some of the ways include:
- Being available: Acknowledge the loss of the person and listen when family members want to talk. Talking is one way they cope with their loved one’s death and continue in the grieving process.
- Offer to help with arrangements: Offering to drive them to the funeral home and be there, so the grieving person has a shoulder to lean on is helpful, especially in the case of a widow/widower.
- Help out around the home: If the grass needs cutting, offer to take care of it. If children need to be ferried to school or picked up, offer to do that. There are often things that place unneeded stress on a grieving family, and helping out is one way to show them you care.
- Don’t disappear after the funeral: Grief does not stop once the funeral service is over, and months later, it’s nice to know your friends and family are still there for you. That doesn’t mean you have to visit on a weekly basis, but a phone call or getting together from time to time lets the family know they haven’t been forgotten.
Seeking Help From a Wrongful Death Lawyer
A lawyer experienced in handling wrongful deaths can help a family obtain compensation by collecting the proof needed to support their claim. Our investigators go to the site of the accident and begin by examining the police report for errors and talking to the witnesses. They look for traffic and business cameras that may have caught the accident on tape in real-time. The investigators also perform accident reconstruction and find out whether the driver committed an offense such as speeding or running a red light. When the evidence is gathered, our lawyers use it to build a strong case for compensation. This is used either with the insurance company or in preparing a court case.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. If your loved one died in an accident that was the fault of a motorist or for other reasons, I have free and friendly advice to offer you. Please call me at (916) 921-6400 if you live within the area code or (800) 404-5400 for the rest of Northern California. You can also send me a message by filling out the online form if you prefer.
Learn what former clients have had to say about how we helped them and look over cases we have handled in the past at:
Two groups I’m especially proud to belong to are the Million Dollar Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
During my 38 years working as an injury lawyer, I’ve helped many people obtain compensation for wrongful deaths, traffic collisions, and all types of traumatic injuries.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/condolences-trauerkarte-letters-3991589/
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