Three Killed in Fresno County Car Crash
Three parties were killed in a car crash in Fresno County on the afternoon of Monday, May 2, 2022. The incident was described as a head-on collision that took place on State Route 33 just north of Sutter Avenue at approximately 2:40 p.m.
Details on the Car Crash in Fresno County That Killed Three
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that a van and a pickup truck were involved in a head-on collision along the southbound lane of SR-33. Officials indicated that the pickup truck caught fire following the crash. Sadly, three parties were declared deceased at the scene of the incident.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has recently identified two of the three decedents as a mother and daughter. Natalie Shepherd, 39, and her two-year-old daughter both lost their lives in the accident. The third decedent has been recently identified as 39-year-old Matthew Culver. An investigation into the fatal head-on collision is ongoing by CHP traffic officers.
What is Involved in a Wrongful Death Case?
Losing someone you love unexpectedly is painful and devastating, especially if it was the result of a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Under such circumstances, the family of the decedent may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Per California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, the surviving children, domestic partner, or spouse of the deceased generally have priority in bringing these cases forward. Other surviving family members of the decedent may have the right to take legal action if such relationships with the deceased are non-existent. A two-year statute of limitations generally applies to these cases in California. This means that the case must be settled, or a lawsuit must be filed in civil court no later than two years from the incident date. There are some exceptions to these, namely those cases involving government entities. The deadline is shortened to 180 days given such circumstances.
What surviving family members should know about wrongful death cases is that not all of them lead to straightforward resolutions. That is because insurance companies are businesses with a focus on maximizing profit margins. To accomplish that, they may resort to downplaying or denying claims. Remember that any initial offer will be far less than what you deserve for the pain and devastation you have gone through, and nothing can ever make things right again. However, holding the other side financially accountable to the fullest is essential for gaining a sense of justice and closure. To minimize the potential of falling for the defense tactics that insurance companies may utilize or failing to meet filing criteria or deadlines applicable to the case, it is essential to hire a Fresno car accident lawyer with experience handling wrongful death matters. Having skilled legal counsel on your side means that all the applicable requirements, paperwork, and deadlines will be met within the specified period. When unsure of what qualities to look for in the best attorney, watch this video for suggestions and tips.
Why You Need an Attorney for a Wrongful Death Claim
Bringing a claim for a fatal car accident in California may be a stressful and overwhelming task, one that surviving family members should not have to be concerned about. Fortunately, an experienced accident attorney can help survivors in their time of loss by guiding them through the process and being their advocate every step of the way. Remember that the goal of a wrongful death lawyer is to secure the best possible outcome on behalf of a grieving family, unlike the other side. Retaining legal counsel also means that you can rest assured knowing that your case will be in good hands. Discuss your case in detail in a free consultation with one of our experienced and skilled lawyers at AutoAccident.com today.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno wrongful death lawyer. The sudden loss of a loved one in a car accident is a traumatic and life-changing experience. Our legal team understands how challenging these situations may be for survivors and are here to help provide free, friendly case advice. Get started today by calling (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to get to know you and your family, discuss the specifics of your case, and what to expect from the process moving forward.
Go to these links to learn how we have helped other clients with their cases and their experiences working with our team of injury attorneys:
The skilled and compassionate attorneys at our law firm have successfully recovered fair compensation on behalf of families we have represented. We have decades of combined experience handling personal injury and wrongful death matters. Our legal team takes the time to conduct an independent investigation of each case and provide the utmost care and means of obtaining a favorable resolution. See some of the results we have secured over the years by going to our Settlements and Verdicts page.
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