Woman Killed After Hit and Run Accident in Stockton
A woman was killed after a hit and run accident in the Stockton area on the early morning of Monday, June 22, 2020. The pedestrian accident occurred shortly after 1:00 a.m. near Harrison Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The Stockton Police Department (Stockton PD) said a pedestrian was walking in the area when she was hit by an unidentified vehicle. By the time authorities arrived at the scene, the driver of the car had fled the scene. Sadly, the woman passed away at the scene. Officials have identified her as 40-year-old Jessica Rivera of Stockton.
Loved One Forever Remembered
Jessica Rivera was a beloved member of her family. Loved ones of Ms. Rivera said she was a caring person with a tremendous heart who was always willing to help those in need. She is survived by her 10-year-old daughter, 17-year-old son, and loved ones. The family of Ms. Rivera is asking for justice and the driver of the vehicle responsible for her tragic death to turn themselves in. Anyone with information about the hit and run accident is encouraged to call the Stockton Police Department to help the family obtain justice in their time of loss.
Options for Recovery After a Wrongful Death of a Loved One
The laws in California are designed to protect those injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by the negligence of someone else. When a pedestrian is killed through the fault of a driver, their surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim as an effort to obtain financial relief and justice. However, if the driver flees the scene and cannot be located, this may place the family in a predicament. Fortunately, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) may be used as a recourse in such situations. A family may file a claim against their loved one’s UM coverage or their own for wrongful death damages incurred as a result of a fatal hit and run accident. If the driver is later found but carries little to no insurance, UIM or UM coverage may be used as well. This may allow surviving family members to recover for their economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Expenses for a loved one’s end of life medical care, funeral, and burial
- Loss of the decedent’s future earnings and employment benefits for the family
- Lost affection, protection, and companionship
- Punitive damages may be available in wrongful death cases involving egregious acts like excessive speeding or DUI
- The value of services a loved one would have provided to the household if not for the wrongful death pedestrian accident (e.g., cleaning around the household, childcare, and more)
For more details on wrongful death claims, watch the video below.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
In California, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death pedestrian accident case is two years from the date of the incident. This means that a family has two years to either settle their case with the insurance company or file a wrongful death lawsuit. With that being said, surviving family members should retain an experienced Stockton wrongful death attorney to handle their case as soon as possible. The longer a family waits to hire a lawyer, the more challenging it can be to gather the evidence necessary for proving a case.
Is it Worth Hiring a Lawyer for a Fatal Stockton Hit and Run Accident?
If you have lost someone you love after a hit and run accident in the Stockton area, you may feel like you and your family have nowhere to turn for assistance. The Stockton wrongful death lawyers of AutoAccident.com are available anytime to explain your best options for recovery and justice. We have the experience and resources necessary to bring wrongful death cases on behalf of surviving family members and to help them seek the financial compensation and solace they deserve. To get started on your path to recovery, call us today to set up a free case evaluation without any obligation on your part.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton wrongful death lawyer. The loss of a loved one can have a devastating impact on the family left behind. This is especially true if the loss was caused by the negligence of someone else. If you have lost a loved one after a hit and run pedestrian accident in the Stockton area, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice.
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At AutoAccident.com, we handle wrongful death cases involving many types of accidents, including pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, car accidents, and more. We have successfully recovered fair financial compensation on behalf of our clients. On our Verdicts and Settlements page, there is a list of some of our past case results.
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