Two Killed After Highway 132 Crash Near Modesto
Two people were killed after a motor vehicle crash on Highway 132 near Modesto on the afternoon of September 7, 2020. The Labor Day car accident took place around 4:02 p.m. on Highway 132 between McCracken Road and River Road. The location of the traffic collision was approximately 14 miles just west of downtown Modesto. Upon the arrival of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and first responders, a woman and her daughter were pronounced deceased at the scene.
A preliminary investigation by the CHP stated that the driver of a green Honda Civic, 29-year-old Cecilia M. Delgadillo of Oakland, was traveling eastbound on State Route 132 in the vicinity of River Road. A white 2000 Ford E-350 van was driven by a 46-year-old Redwood City man westbound on SR-132. The driver of the Ford was allegedly stopped at a red light at the intersection of Highway 132 and River Road for a short time, the CHP said. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Honda reportedly lost control of her vehicle, and the front of the Ford struck the right side of the Honda.
Nature of Injuries Reported in Highway 132 Crash
The driver of the Ford was transported to San Joaquin General Hospital in French Camp for treatment of serious injuries. The passenger of the Ford, a 34-year-old Redwood City man, complained of pain to his side, hand, and neck and received treatment at the scene. The two children seated in the rear of the Honda, an 8-year-old boy with a brain bleed and an arm fracture and a 2-year-old girl with a broken arm, were both transported via air ambulance to the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Sadly, Ms. Cecilia Delgadillo and her 10-year-old daughter, who was seated in the right front passenger seat, both suffered fatal injuries upon impact.
Loss of a Loved One Due to a Fatal Crash on Highway 132
Motor vehicle collisions in California are often the result of negligence. When this type of behavior results in the sudden loss of a close relative, surviving family members may have legal recourse under California law. Survivors may seek financial compensation from the driver or entity who caused the fatal car accident due to negligent actions by filing a wrongful death claim for recovery of losses incurred. An experienced Modesto wrongful death lawyer can investigate all potential options for recovery, like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and determine which damages survivors may be entitled to under California law.
What Types of Wrongful Death Damages Can a Family Recover?
Many financial losses are experienced when a loved one is lost in an accident caused by wrongful death. Depending on a relative’s relationship to the decedent, surviving family members are generally entitled to the recovery of the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Funeral expenses paid by surviving family members
- Loss of love, companionship, affection, and society
- Loss of parental instruction, companionship, and guidance
- Medical costs connected to the wrongful death auto accident may be recovered through a survival action.
- Mental anguish caused by the wrongful death of a loved one
- The value of future financial support and household services provided by the deceased to the family
- Punitive damages may be awarded at the discretion of a jury in wrongful death car accident cases that involve egregious conduct such as DUI or excessive speeding.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Case in California?
Members of the family who depended on the decedent for financial and emotional support may be eligible for monetary compensation to help them recover from their loss. These survivors may include the spouse, domestic partner, or children of the deceased. Others may be able to recover wrongful death damages under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, such as parents, stepchildren, putative spouse, and children of the putative spouse. Determining eligibility for a wrongful death claim may be challenging. Call an experienced wrongful death attorney in Modesto for more assistance. For details on what to look for in an attorney to handle your wrongful death case, watch this video.
What is the Deadline on Filing a California Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
When a loved one is killed in a fatal Highway 132 crash near Modesto, it is easy to understand that surviving family members need the time to recover and come to terms with their loss. However, survivors need to know that they must bring a wrongful death lawsuit as they are subject to a specific time limit. All lawsuits brought under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 must be filed within two years of a loved one’s passing. A family may not be compensated if they do not bring a claim within the two-year statute of limitations as the case may be dismissed by the court. Survivors can ensure that their case follows all filing criteria and deadlines by retaining an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Modesto immediately after a fatal car crash.
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help Your Family
No amount of money can ever make up for the loss of a loved one or erase the grief that surviving family members have experienced. However, California law acknowledges the financial and emotional consequences imposed on survivors by a fatal accident and the liability on negligent parties who caused the loss. That is why wrongful death laws in California provide an avenue for families to seek justice and compensation for their damages from those responsible for their loved one’s passing. An experienced Modesto wrongful death attorney can help a family navigate the wrongful death claims process and deal with difficult insurance companies on their behalf. This way, they can focus on what matters most during this difficult time: grieving and recovering from their loss.
Personal Injury Attorney in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury attorney. Did you lose a loved one in a fatal motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of someone else? You and your family deserve justice and compensation for your loss. Contact our law firm today to find out how we can help you through this challenging time at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We offer free, friendly advice for all case evaluations, so do not hesitate to call our legal team for help today.
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