Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash in Fair Oaks
A single-vehicle crash in Fair Oaks on Monday, December 30, resulted in the death of one passenger. Another passenger was also injured in the accident. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the single-vehicle crash occurred on Sunset Avenue, where it meets Pennsylvania Avenue at about 9:00 p.m. The single-vehicle was heading east on Sunset when it hit a tension cable attached to a utility pole and flipped, partially ejecting a passenger in the vehicle. The car then rolled over the passenger, killing them. Another passenger in the vehicle was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. The driver left the scene of the accident. She was found in a yard in the area and taken into custody shortly before 11:00 p.m. According to authorities at the scene, it is believed that alcohol and drugs were involved. Officials have identified the decedent as 56-year-old Danny Helmer of Citrus Heights.
A Death in the Family
A sudden, unexpected death initially is met with feelings of shock and disbelief. While grief comes in many forms, an unexpected death disarms our ability to process what is happening. It is common for family members to feel vulnerable because they are unable to prevent tragedy from happening again. Aside from shock, some common reactions are:
- Family members often feel disconnected from other people and their own feelings.
- Frequently, the bereaved feel that a mistake was made, and their loved one is not dead.
- Family members may also feel helpless in light of what has happened.
- Regret is a persistent feeling. Family members often wish they had said or done something before the person died.
- There is also the belief that the grieving person may have been able to prevent their loved one’s death.
- Anger often surfaces after an unexpected death. This can be directed at the deceased, the person who caused the accident, or another entity.
- Overwhelming sadness occurs in many people accompanied by frequent crying.
Physical Impact of Loss
There are several common physical symptoms associated with grief:
- Appetite loss
- Insomnia
- Loss of concentration
- Excessive fatigue
How to Cope With a Sudden Death
Coping with a sudden death long-term can be as difficult as it is initially. There are ways to help yourself:
- Be cognizant of both physical and mental issues that developed after the loved one’s demise.
- Keep a journal, chronicling your thoughts and feelings.
- Talk to others whether it is in a group or one on one. This allows you to find your way through the maze of feelings you are experiencing.
- Be realistic. Grief is an ongoing process, and everyone’s reactions are different.
- If needed, talk to a professional about how you feel.
Wrongful Death Claims in a Single-Vehicle Crash
While filing a wrongful death claim against a negligent party will not bring your loved one back, it will make coping with the monetary loss easier. Many families struggle to pay their household expenses after the decedent’s support is lost. Talking to a wrongful death lawyer to determine if you can file is a helpful choice. The wrongful death claim can help pay for funeral expenses, loss of inheritance and the need to hire workers to do household chores done by the deceased.
How an Attorney Can Help
Our firm sympathizes with the horror of losing a loved one unexpectedly and trying to cope with life after they are gone. We offer advice on filing a claim against the party who was instrumental in causing your loved one’s death. Our first step is to determine how the accident happened and if negligence was involved. To do this, we dispatch our investigators to the scene. There, they use accident reconstruction techniques and obtain visual confirmation of negligence through videos from traffic lights and security cameras. We also check police reports for inaccuracies. Once this work is completed, our investigators release it to our lawyers, who construct a strong case for the family.
Fair Oaks Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fair Oaks wrongful death lawyer. If a loved one died due to negligence, the family can find justice by filing a wrongful death claim. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can reach out to me online too.
I’ve assisted Fair Oaks clients in achieving the compensation they deserve in car and bicycle accidents, brain injury, and motorcycle crashes.
I’m a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Learn about my practice by visiting the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/sorrow-sadness-light-fire-fatigue-1228329/
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