Two Killed, One Injured in Bakersfield Car Accident
Two parties were killed, and another was critically injured after a car accident in Bakersfield on the morning of Wednesday, June 23, 2021. The crash was reported at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Interstate 5 close to SR-43.
Details on the Bakersfield Accident that Left Two Parties Killed, One injured
Upon the arrival of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), officers located two parties that appeared to have been ejected from the vehicle during a rollover and another party in another car with serious injuries. A preliminary investigation suggested that a vehicle was traveling southbound on Interstate 5 when one of the tires blew out. This caused the car to overturn, collide with the center divider, and eject both occupants of the vehicle.
One of the parties ejected from the vehicle in the rollover accident was allegedly hit by an oncoming vehicle in the northbound lanes of I-5. One party in the oncoming car suffered serious injuries in the incident, CHP traffic officers reported. Sadly, both parties were pronounced deceased at the scene. The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the decedents as Billy Shane Travis, a 44-year-old resident of Ripon, and David Victor James Hamilton, a 51-year-old resident of Modesto.
What Survivors Should Know About Wrongful Death Car Accident Claims
When surviving family members have lost a loved one because of a traffic collision caused by another party or entity, it is crucial for survivors to be wary of initial settlement offers from insurance companies without speaking with an attorney first. During such a difficult time, a settlement may seem like a good idea. However, such offers may not consider the full extent of resulting losses. Surviving family members need a lawyer to protect their rights and best interests to ensure they are fairly compensated for damages based on the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
The unfortunate reality is that the acceptance of an uninformed offer for a settlement is what insurers and negligent parties want families to do. Lowball settlement offers are known for taking advantage of survivors in their time of loss and grief. The truth is without reviewing the case with a Modesto wrongful death attorney, survivors may lose the opportunity on seeking full and fair compensation for their loss. While no amount of money may ever make up for the loss of a close relative, families affected by such situations deserve justice and recovery from the damages they have experienced as a result.
Damages in a wrongful death claim come in two types, economic and non-economic. Economic damages consider expenses survivors have incurred because of the loss of life, like costs of final medical treatment, funeral services, lost financial support, and more. Conversely, non-economic damages evaluate the personal losses the family has lost because their loved one is no longer alive to provide companionship, care, guidance, and protection. Some of these aspects may be overlooked in an initial settlement offer as a way of protecting the insurance carrier and its bottom line. That is why working with an attorney will make all the difference in the outcome of the case. Watch the video below to learn what to look for in the best attorney for your case.
About Our Law Firm
Knowing what steps to take after the loss of a loved one in a car accident is undoubtedly challenging. Chances are, hiring a lawyer may be the last thing on survivors’ minds. However, it is often the best way to ensure that the family the close relative has left behind is taken care of.
If you have lost someone you love in a crash caused by another driver or entity, your family can depend on our team of attorneys to bring our experience, skills, and resources in your case. We can work with experts to determine whether other parties may be responsible for the loss, such as an automaker failing to ensure a vehicle meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216 on rollover accidents and roof crush resistance. Unlike the insurance company and negligent party, we have your family’s best interests at heart and are here to guide you all throughout the legal process with compassion.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto wrongful death attorney. The loss of a close relative because of another person or entity’s negligence is a devastating occurrence that demands justice and fair compensation. If you have lost someone you love in a recent motor vehicle collision, it is essential to consider speaking with an experienced attorney regarding your potential case. Contact our law firm today to speak with one of our wrongful death lawyers at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to provide you and your family compassionate, free, and friendly advice.
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Photo Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/red-rose-on-grave-love-symbol-5469144/
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