$951,000 Wrongful Death Accident Settlement
A brother and sister in California contacted us when their father was killed in a car accident. The accident occurred on US-101 northbound in San Francisco and was the result of a distracted driver rear-ending their father’s vehicle. He sustained severe injuries and later passed away in the hospital.
After the accident and their father’s death, the family knew they needed to file a claim to recover compensation for what happened, but they did not know how to go about the process. This was when they reached out to our wrongful death attorneys at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers for help.
Why the Client Hired Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers
The brother and sister were overwhelmed by the entire claims process and were struggling to handle communications with the insurance company, which was trying to deny liability. They’d also had a previous lawyer working on their case who was unresponsive and failing to meet the client’s needs.
Instead, they wanted an attorney that would advocate aggressively for their family, keep them in the loop, and communicate with them in a timely manner. This was when they reached out to Sally Morin, and our team stepped in to help.
Best Thing Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers Did for the Client
Our team beat the liability dispute, negotiated the medical bill and liens down significantly to leave more money for the client, and maximized the overall value of the case to increase the settlement amount. This allowed us to alleviate the stress the family was experiencing so they could focus on their life rather than having to manage the logistics of the case on their own.
In the end, once the case was settled, we were able to get more money in the client’s pocket than they were expecting. And we did it all while making sure the clients felt heard and kept them involved in the process.
After proving their settlement for wrongful death damages and getting the MediCal and Medicare liens disclaimed, we were able to get the clients a $951,000 settlement award. After all of the accident-related expenses and fees were paid, the client then walked away with over $630,000 in their pocket.
Fatal Accidents in California
Fatal accidents like the one described above are all too common in California. California has nearly 400,000 miles of road and is also a densely populated state. As such, there is a significant amount of traffic, which leads to California being home to some of the deadliest roads in the country.
In addition to US-101, which was where the accident above occurred, some other congested and dangerous roads in California include:
- I-15
- I-80
- I-5
- I-215
- SR-74
- I-605
- I-280
- SR-22
Causes of Wrongful Death Accidents in California
As personal injury and wrongful death lawyers, we see all kinds of cases involving fatal accidents like the one above. Any number of factors can contribute to a wrongful death collision, such as drunk driving, speeding, road rage, and fatigued driving. However, one of the most common causes of these accidents is distracted driving.
Distracted driving is a serious problem in California, especially in major cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles where people lead very busy lives and there is always traffic backed up on the roads. And one of the primary factors that contribute to distracted driving is cell phone use while driving.
To reduce distracted driving due to cell phones, California has enacted a series of laws which include the following:
- Drivers may not operate a vehicle while holding an electronic communication device in their hands. They may only use it in a hands-free manner, such as through Bluetooth and voice command technology.
- All drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.
- Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from cell phone use while driving for ANY reason.
Exceptions to these laws are only allowed if: (a) they are on their own private property and (b) if there is an emergency. Unfortunately, many drivers still do not obey these laws, which can lead to severe and fatal accidents like the one our client’s father experienced on US-101 after being rear-ended.
Rear End Collisions
In fact, most distracted driving accidents result in rear-end collisions. When a person is distracted while driving, especially while sitting in traffic on the highway, it only takes a few seconds for them to miss a car braking in front of them, which then results in them rear-ending that vehicle.
Fortunately, when someone else’s negligence—such as distracted driving—leads to an accident, the injured party or their loved ones have a right to file a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim to recover compensation. Though no amount of money can replace the loss of a loved one, this compensation can help the family pay for the financial and even emotional burdens they have suffered as a result of the loss.
Compensation for Wrongful Death Accident Cases
Wrongful death claims are intended to help the surviving loved ones of someone who was killed in an accident recover what are known as economic and non-economic damages. The total settlement amount can vary significantly from one case to the next, as it depends on the factors involved in the individual case.
In general, these economic and non-economic wrongful death damages that the surviving family can recover compensation for include:
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Lost income that would have been provided by the deceased
- Compensation for loss of companionship
- Compensation for loss of child support
- Compensation for mentorship or parental guidance (if the deceased had children)
- Compensation for the loss of support with household services, such as yard work, home repair, and other “chores”
We Handle Your Wrongful Death Accident Claim So You Can Focus On Your Life
Wrongful death cases are often very emotionally wrought and deeply upsetting, so it’s important to work with a lawyer who is compassionate, a good communicator, and one who will fight hard to defend your family’s rights. Furthermore, lawyers play a critical role in wrongful death cases when it comes to ensuring the family is awarded the full and fair settlement they are owed.
Insurance companies are notorious for trying to deny liability or doing whatever else they can to offer reduced settlements. But with an attorney on your side, you will be able to build a stronger case that leaves no room for the insurance company to deny anything, which means you are more likely to get the full and fair settlement your family needs and deserves after losing a loved one.
At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle tons of wrongful death cases every year. As such, we know what it takes to fight for the rights of our clients and ensure they get the high-value settlement they deserve for all that they have suffered.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to a car accident, call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
