Woman Killed in Fatal Car Crash in Fresno County
A woman was killed, and another was seriously hurt in a fatal car crash just south of Easton in Fresno County on the night of Saturday, November 7, 2020. The deadly car accident happened on Highway 41 in the vicinity of Adams Avenue at approximately 8:00 p.m. A 17-year-old Kerman girl was reportedly driving a Honda Accord southbound on State Route 41 and made a turn onto Adams Avenue from the No. 1 lane. While doing so, the teen struck a Toyota Camry headed northbound on SR-41. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the intersection has dedicated lanes for traffic turning on Highway 41. The impact allegedly propelled the Toyota into a light pole, CHP traffic units reported.
The Toyota driver, a 44-year-old Armona man, suffered serious injuries in the collision and was transported to Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) for treatment. The passenger of the Toyota, 54-year-old Araceli Guzman from Armona in Kings County, sadly passed away at the scene.
The Honda continued for a short time after the initial crash and collided with a Chevrolet Suburban occupied by a family of three, including a 2-year-old girl. The family, from Ferndale in Humboldt County, reportedly sustained minor injuries and decided to seek medical care on their own. The driver of the Honda was also taken to CRMC for the treatment of pain complaints.
Loss of a Loved One
The loss of a close relative is heartbreaking under any circumstances. However, when a loved one is lost because of the recklessness or negligence of someone else, the pain is often much more challenging to deal with. An experienced Fresno wrongful death attorney can help a family get answers on how their loved one was taken away from them. An attorney can conduct an independent investigation of the incident and the sequence of events leading to the fatal crash. They can also gather and preserve all critical pieces of evidence to get to the bottom of what occurred and build a strong wrongful death case against those responsible for the loss. While no amount of money can undo the pain or bring back a lost family member, an attorney can help recover wrongful death damages a family may be entitled to. For details on what to look for in the best Fresno wrongful death attorney to handle your case, watch the video below.
Wrongful Death Claims in California
A wrongful death claim is a type of civil case brought against individuals or entities responsible for losing a loved one. In these cases, the at-fault party is held accountable for wrongful death damages incurred. These include:
- Medical expenses related to the injury that resulted in the death of the decedent
- Costs of a funeral and burial
- Loss of care and services provided by the loved one
- Loss of income and wages, including lost future earnings and benefits the decedent would have earned if not for the wrongful death car accident
- Loss of comfort, guidance, and companionship of the deceased
In some extreme cases, punitive damages may also be sought through a wrongful death claim. Such damages are only awarded by the court if the at-fault party acted egregiously (e.g., excessive speeding, drunk driving, etc.). Punitive damages are not considered forms of compensation and are solely intended to punish the negligent individual and deter them and others from acting similarly in the future.
Who Can File a Fresno County Wrongful Death Lawsuit for a Fatal Car Crash?
In California, a wrongful death claim may only be filed by specific surviving family members of the decedent. These are usually the surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children, all of whom have priority when it comes to bringing a wrongful death lawsuit. Other relatives who may be eligible for wrongful death compensation include anyone who was financially dependent on the deceased at the time of the fatal car accident, including parents, stepchildren, putative spouse, and the children of the putative spouse. Have an experienced attorney from AutoAccident.com determine your eligibility for a wrongful death claim through a free case evaluation today.
What is the Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death Car Accident Cases?
Under most circumstances, survivors have two years from the date of a loved one’s death to bring a wrongful death case. If a lawsuit is not filed with the court nor is a settlement accepted from the insurance company within the deadline, the case may be dismissed by the court. While two years may seem like ample time, actions must be taken quickly to protect the rights and best interests of surviving family members. Wrongful death claims often involve challenging steps from start to finish. For this reason, it is essential for a family to contact an injury lawyer immediately to review their wrongful death case.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Fresno
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno wrongful death attorney. If a member of your family was killed in a fatal motor vehicle accident because of someone else’s negligence, you should speak with an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options for recovery. At our law firm, we have what it takes to seek fair compensation in a wrongful death case, and we are ready to help you and your family through this difficult time with your claim. Call us today to schedule a consultation for free, friendly legal advice at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400.
Additional information about our personal injury and wrongful death law firm may be found at the links below:
We belong to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Photograph Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-open-candle-candlelight-1926414/
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