The California Highway Patrol reported that a 70-year-old motorcyclist died in a head-on collision Saturday afternoon when a truck crossed into his lane from the opposite side of traffic.
CHP officials reported that a 34-year-old man was driving a Ford truck northbound on Route 160 near Route 220 and swerved left when he didn’t see traffic stopped in front of him. The truck struck two cars in front of him and then crossed into oncoming traffic.
The biker was riding alongside another motorcyclist when he was hit head-on and thrown into the other rider. The 70-year-old rider died from his injuries while the other rider was taken to a local hospital to treat minor injuries. There were no other injuries to report.
CHP investigators stated that drugs and alcohol were not favored in the crash.
Our condolences go out to the rider’s family in this tragic time.
Fatal Accidents and Their Effect on Families
Losing a loved one in a sudden tragic accident can be extremely distressing. The unexpected loss brings about overwhelming emotions that can make daily life seem impossible. And it’s not just the physical loss and love of the person. Many families experience financial issues from the loss of their loved one that can make the healing process difficult, if not impossible. In addition to any medical and crash-related costs, there may be a significant loss of income, household services, and funeral related costs.
These concerns can affect many members of the loved one’s immediate family. Because a wrongful death can have such wide-ranging consequences for the family, they are able to bring claims for compensation for their losses. While the exact type depends on the given situation, families can seek payment for both financial and personal losses. This allows for some stability in a difficult time of need.
What family members can bring a wrongful death claim?
California has specific laws as to who can file a wrongful death action. Typically, the law allows the deceased person’s surviving spouse, partner, or children. If no one is in the line of descent, the action may belong to the parents, siblings, or anyone entitled to the property through intestate succession.
The law also allows that where a putative spouse, putative children, stepchildren, or parents are financially reliant upon the accident victim, they may bring a claim.
A Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
We understand the last thing family members want to discuss or think about after an unexpected loss is money or hiring a personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, the contributions this person may have made to the family might be very significant and necessary for them to maintain their daily lives.
As wrongful death attorneys, our job isn’t just to help you get financial justice for your loss, but to help you get through the entire process as best we can. There is nothing that can bring back a loved one, but there is no reason the negligence of another should leave you and your family without the proper compensation.
If a deadly collision has affected your family, call us at (916) 619-5452 and speak with me, Sacramento wrongful death attorney, Dan Hanecak. We offer free case evaluations and honest advice about your case and what to do next. If you feel more comfortable filling out a form online, we have one on our website. Once you’ve filled that out, I will personally contact you to follow up.
