A Red-Light Runner Causes the Death of an Elderly Man
A South Sacramento intersection was the site of a fatal accident on July 4 that claimed the life of an elderly. The accident happened at the junction of Stockton Boulevard and Lindale Avenue at about 2:45 in the afternoon. A woman, 25, driving a Lexus, ran a red light on Stockton northbound, hitting the man’s Acura traveling west on Lindale.
Additional Details of the Fatal Accident
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the man, 73-year-old Michael Lawrence Munyon of Pollock Pines, died at the scene of the fatal accident. The Lexus driver received minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by a family member for further evaluation. The CHP said that drugs or alcohol did not appear to be involved in the fatal accident.
Running a Red Light at an Intersection
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that about 849 people were killed in accidents involving a red-light runner in 2018. Fifty percent of those killed were pedestrians and cyclists, with the remaining being motorists. In the same year, 139,000 individuals were injured by a red-light runner.
What Is Red Light Running?
When a driver enters an intersection in South Sacramento or elsewhere after the light turns red, they are considered a red-light runner. This can happen when the driver speeds up on a yellow light but fails to clear the intersection. In addition, some areas allow a right turn on a red light, however, doing so without coming to a full stop is a traffic violation. Without a deterrent such as a traffic camera, studies have found that red-light running is common with one episode happening roughly every 20 minutes.
Why Do People Run a Red Light?
The AAA did a study to help answer this question. They found out that the majority of drivers know about the illegality and dangers associated with red-light running. Yet, about 31 percent of them did it in the preceding month.
So, who are the red-light runners? The majority are younger males who have been in previous accidents. They are also individuals with prior DUI convictions and are often impaired at the time of the accident. Beyond that, many red-light runners are speeding or lack a valid driver’s license.
Losing a Loved One
The death of a loved one is tragic and causes a family considerable grief. When a loved one dies due to the negligent actions of another, the fatal accident also causes anger and a need to seek justice. One way to do this is to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. This type of lawsuit provides the family with the financial help they need. While nothing can bring back the decedent, a wrongful death claim against a reckless driver might serve to lessen future similar accidents.
Attorney Ed Smith has prepared a video, found below, explaining wrongful death lawsuits:
How to Help a Family
After a death in the family, members might need the help of others. Even simple routine tasks are often one more thing to do in a time when the family members feel overwhelmed. Here are a few ways to help:
- Get in touch with the family to express your sadness for their loss. If you cannot visit, call.
- Grieving individuals need their strength and bringing an easily warmed up meal to the home is appreciated. Check beforehand to make sure there are certain foods they cannot have or would not want.
- When you visit, let the family members talk. They need to do this, and a non-judgmental ear helps. Don’t give advice, just listen unless they ask for your opinion.
- Offer to pick up groceries or prescriptions at the pharmacy. If they need to go to the doctor or the funeral home, let the family know you will be available to take them.
Investigating a Wrongful Death in a Fatal Accident
My law firm has handled numerous wrongful death cases since 1982, and we’ve established a protocol that relies heavily on evidence. This is because, without proof, no case is successful. Because of this, we send our investigators to the accident site to question witnesses and obtain traffic surveillance videos. We use accident reconstruction techniques to visualize the way the crash occurred and use these in insurance negotiations and in court. Once our investigators have compiled all pertinent data, our legal team uses it to build a strong case.
Sacramento Auto Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento Auto Accident Lawyer. Let me help you after a family member has died due to negligence. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can contact me online also.
I’ve helped clients obtain their deserved damages in traffic crashes, traumatic injuries and wrongful deaths, among others.
I am a member of the following organizations:
Learn more about my practice by visiting the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-lg0clbRM&t=3s; https://pixabay.com/images/search/funeral/
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