Teenager Killed After DUI Car Accident in Fresno
A teenager was killed, and a driver was injured after a car accident reportedly caused by DUI in Fresno, CA, on April 25, 2020. Officers from the Fresno Police Department (Fresno PD) responded to the area of Chestnut and Nees Avenues shortly after 3:00 p.m. for a crash involving two vehicles. A pickup truck broadsided the passenger side of a red Volkswagen Jetta sedan that was headed westbound on Nees Avenue, according to police. The pickup driver was uninjured but was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). The driver of the Volkswagen suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening. Sadly, the passenger passed away at the scene of the drunk driving accident. The Fresno County Coroner’s Office has identified the decedent as 19-year-old Carson Gates of Fresno. A GoFundMe page has been established on behalf of Mr. Gate’s father to help him through this difficult time with final resting expenses and other support.
Loss of a Loved One
There are few things in life more painful and traumatic than losing a loved one. When a close relative is taken away from their family unexpectedly in a car crash, that loss can be even more challenging to cope with. Surviving family members deserve the time to grieve and process their loss. Hiring a Fresno car accident lawyer to handle a wrongful death case can give a family the time they need to do that. Even though pursuing legal action against a negligent driver may be the last thing on a grieving family’s mind, it can help them obtain justice as well as recover financial and intangible losses related to their loved one’s wrongful death.
Can You File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Loved One is Killed in a DUI Car Accident?
When a loved one is lost in a car accident that could have been prevented had the at-fault driver taken appropriate care, the family may be entitled to compensation under California law. A wrongful death claim may arise from the careless operation of a motor vehicle through speeding, running traffic signals, and drunk driving. In other cases, a vehicle manufacturer may be deemed negligent for injury or death caused by defective car design and safety features. This may include insufficient structural protection on the sides of a vehicle involved in a broadside collision. Filing a claim against the at-fault motorist or entity for the wrongful death of a loved one can hold them accountable for their actions. It may also serve to deter them and others from engaging in similar behavior that resulted in such devastating and preventable loss.
Recovery for a Wrongful Death Car Accident
No amount of compensation from a wrongful death claim can ever replace the life of a loved one. However, recovery under California’s wrongful death law can help provide financial security for surviving family members. Claimants may recover end of life medical expenses, costs of a funeral and burial, lost future financial support, mental anguish, and loss of a loved one’s care, companionship, and protection. Punitive damages may also be sought from the at-fault party to punish them for their egregious actions, like excessive speeding or drunk driving. The time allowed by California law to file a claim for wrongful death is two years. Therefore, it is essential to contact an experienced Fresno wrongful death lawyer to discuss the details of your case. An attorney can help guide you and your family through the wrongful death claims process and hold negligent parties responsible for your loved one’s passing.
In California, not everyone is allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal car crash. This right is reserved for the decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children. If such family members are nonexistent, others may file for wrongful death. This includes the car accident victim’s parents, stepchildren, and putative spouse, as outlined in the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60. To learn more about who is eligible to recover wrongful death damages in California, watch the video below.
How Can a Lawyer Help Our Family?
The best thing to do after losing someone you love in a fatal car accident is to ask for help. At AutoAccident.com, we understand how devastating the loss of a loved one is for the family and are available anytime to lend a listening ear during this difficult time. When you are ready to discuss your loss, please give us a call to set up a free consultation. You deserve answers after your loved one’s accident and death, and we can provide you with just that, along with advice on how to proceed with seeking justice and fair compensation.
Car Accident Lawyers in Fresno, CA
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno car accident lawyer. A fatal car accident takes only a second to occur, but the emotional and financial impact on the family left behind is lifelong. If you have lost someone you love in a Fresno car accident caused by the fault of another driver, please call me at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to discuss your case and receive my free, friendly advice.
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Since 1982, our law office has been seeking justice and fair compensation on behalf of families who have lost loved ones after fatal car accidents in Northern California. To see how we have resolved past wrongful death cases, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Source: By “dominic_winkel” via Pixabay
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