Teen Killed After Rollover Accident in Ceres
A teen was killed, and three others were injured after a rollover accident in Ceres on the afternoon of March 11, 2020. According to the Ceres Police Department, a vehicle collided with a power pole on Blaker Road and Service Road around 3:00 p.m. One of four occupants in the car, a 17-year-old boy, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries at the scene. The other three parties, a 16-year-old and two other 17-year-olds, all suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized. The identities of those involved in the crash have not yet been released. However, police said the minors are students at Central Valley High School. Three weeks after the crash, authorities announced that the driver of the vehicle was booked into juvenile hall. He is facing charges of driving without a license and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Additional details about the collision have not yet been disclosed.
Passenger Injury Claims After a Ceres Rollover Accident
A passenger generally has the same right to compensation as a driver injured in a car accident. In California, this means a passenger can file a personal injury claim against any driver or entity whose negligent or reckless acts contributed to their injuries. As a passenger, a claim will need to be filed against the at-fault party’s car insurance policy. The amount of monetary damage you receive will be dependent upon the severity of your injuries and how the crash has impacted your life. The types of economic and noneconomic damages available in personal injury cases in California include but are not limited to the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages for the loss of a loved one
To learn about the factors that may affect the value of a claim, watch the video below.
Loss of a Loved One
The loss of a loved one, especially a child, is devastating for any parent. The emotional trauma and mental anguish related to this type of tragedy are often challenging to come to terms with. Many parents never fully recover psychologically and emotionally from the loss of a child, who had their whole life ahead of them. The grief associated with the sudden loss may be compounded by anger and frustration when the family discovers that their loved one was taken away from them as a result of negligence by someone else. When this happens, a family may take legal action through a wrongful death claim.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
In California, damages for wrongful death may be available for the spouse, domestic partner, or children of the decedent. In a wrongful death case of a child, the minor’s parents may be eligible for wrongful death benefits. These damages are intended to compensate surviving family members for the financial and intangible harms they have suffered. While a wrongful death claim cannot bring back a lost loved one, compensation from the case may help those surviving family members left behind. Through the appropriate options for recovery available under California law, survivors may be compensated for a loved one’s end of life medical care, funeral and burial expenses, lost companionship, affection, and moral support. Punitive damages may be recovered from the negligent party under specific circumstances. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their egregious acts. A complete case evaluation by an experienced Ceres wrongful death lawyer can help identify the best course of action for a family affected by wrongful death.
Rollover Accidents and Liability Explained
Rollover accidents account for approximately 35 percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide. Of all types of motor vehicle accidents, rollovers have the second-highest risk of injury and death, trailing behind head-on collisions. Specific cars are more susceptible to overturning, including vans, light trucks, and SUVs. The overwhelming majority of rollover accidents only involve one car. Not all rollovers are caused by driver error. Instead, they may be caused by other factors such as poor road conditions and faulty tire design. The risk of injury and death may also increase if the vehicle involved in the rollover has insufficient roof crush resistance. This occurs when the manufacturer fails to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216. When this happens, an injured person or family of a decedent may seek damages from a manufacturer for defective vehicle roof or support structures. For more information, reach out to an experienced Ceres personal injury lawyer.
Car Accident Lawyer in Ceres
I’m Ed Smith, a Ceres car accident lawyer. A fatal car accident can cause tragedy in a short amount of time. What makes these incidents especially devastating for surviving family members is that they are preventable for the most part. When a loved one is killed in a crash due to the negligence of another, that party may be held financially responsible for damages incurred. If this has happened in your family, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. I am available anytime to provide you and your family with my compassionate, free, and friendly advice.
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I am a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates.
Since 1982, our personal injury law firm has handled many personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout California, helping injured people and families of decedents obtain the compensation they deserve. To see some of our past case results, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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