Woman Killed After Modesto Pedestrian Accident
A woman was killed after a pedestrian accident in Modesto, CA, on the afternoon of March 31, 2020. The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. at Yosemite Boulevard and Kern Avenue near Modesto Gospel Mission. A woman, whose identity has been withheld by officials due to pending notification of family members, was crossing Kern Avenue at the intersection. A driver of a GMC Yukon SUV was headed westbound on Yosemite Blvd. and attempted to turn left onto Kern Ave when they reportedly crashed into the woman. She was transported to an area hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The cause of the incident has not yet been disclosed by the Modesto Police Department due to ongoing investigation.
Loss of a Close Relative
Whenever a loved one is lost due to a pedestrian accident is a tragic situation. This loss can be made even more challenging to deal with if it was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person. When this happens, a family may hold the negligent party financially responsible for their loved one’s death through a wrongful death claim.
What Can Be Recovered Through a Wrongful Death Claim?
The loss of a loved one may take an emotional and financial toll on a grieving family. It can feel overwhelming to attend to all the details of a loved one’s death, such as planning a funeral, paying bills, and dealing with insurance companies. When a close relative is lost through the negligence of someone else, California law allows surviving family members to recover financial compensation from negligent drivers and their insurance companies. Among the economic and noneconomic damages survivors may be able to recover in a wrongful death claim include:
- Costs related to a loved one’s death after a pedestrian accident such as medical expenses and funeral services
- Emotional and mental anguish suffered by the family as a result of a loved one’s wrongful death
- Loss of a close relative’s protection, care, and companionship
- Lost benefits and future financial support for the family
- Punitive damages may be available in wrongful death cases of particularly egregious actions like excessive speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
To learn more about wrongful death cases, watch the video below.
Is There Enough Insurance to Cover a Modesto Pedestrian Accident?
There is a specific amount of compensation that is available through a wrongful death claim. For a fatal pedestrian accident, the amount a family may receive will depend upon the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits for bodily injury. If the negligent driver only carries state minimum insurance limits, then the family of the decedent may find themselves in a financial predicament. However, there may be other potential areas of recovery under such circumstances. If the deceased has uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) on their car insurance policy or lived with someone who carried UM/UIM, a claim may be filed under that coverage.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Wrongful Death Pedestrian Accident?
Discussing the facts of your case with an experienced wrongful death lawyer from Modesto is the first step you can take to ensure your rights are protected. When a loved one loses their life in a pedestrian accident, insurance companies representing negligent drivers will do anything within their capacity to settle your claim for the least amount possible. Do not agree to any recorded statements or settlement agreements until you have consulted with an attorney who is experienced in handling wrongful death claims like yours. An attorney can advise you on what steps you should take to hold negligent parties accountable for your loss.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Modesto
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury lawyer. A pedestrian accident has the potential to cause catastrophic injury or death. For families who have suffered the loss of a loved one after an accident, the thought of pursuing a wrongful death claim can seem overwhelming. While no amount of money can bring a loved one back, a lawyer can help you obtain compensation to which your family is entitled to for your harms and losses. If your family has lost someone you love after a pedestrian accident caused by someone else, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. I am available anytime to review the details of your case and provide you with free, friendly advice on what options are available to you and your family for recovery.
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At our law firm, we have been handling California personal injury and wrongful death cases since 1982. To see results we have obtained for those affected by traumatic or fatal accidents, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Picture Credit: By “Dominic_Winkel” via Pixabay
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