Wrongful deaths caused by car accidents rampant in California Bay Area

The Bay Area is seeing a number of fatal accidents so far this year between motor vehicles and pedestrians. Two separate cars hit one woman as she walked home from work. A car collided with a young girl in a crosswalk and a Muni bus driver struck an elderly woman in another crosswalk in Daly City. A fourth was struck as she crossed in the middle of a Palo Alto road. All of the victims died instantly or very shortly thereafter. Pedestrians do not stand a chance against careless drivers; motor vehicles are deadly weapons when driven negligently. Nineteen pedestrians were killed on the streets of San Francisco last year and area residents are trying to create safer roads for walkers in California.

Issues that contribute to fatal accidents

All of the recent fatal pedestrian accidents happened during the late afternoon to early evening time frame and most occurred while the victims were walking in designated pedestrian areas. Many issues contribute to the car and pedestrian accidents, including such reasons as:

• Poor street and intersection lighting
• Narrow shoulders
• Unfinished or broken sidewalks
• Speeding motorists
• Distracted drivers

Walking to and from school or work should not be hazardous to one’s health. Although nothing can replace the loss of a loved one, families of those killed in such accidents often utilize wrongful death claims in order hold negligent drivers responsible for their actions.

Wrongful death lawsuits

Personal injury lawsuits are common for those injured by another in motor vehicle accidents. In order to prevail in a wrongful death lawsuit in California, proving a number of elements is necessary:

• A death occurred
• The death must have been caused by another’s negligence or an intent to cause harm
• The surviving family must show they have suffered a loss as a result of the victim’s death

Proving negligence or loss due to an accident can be challenging and often requires the legal advice of a personal injury attorney. Compensation may be available to surviving family members for loss of a victim’s:

• Income
• Potential future earnings and inheritances
• Medical expenses
• Funeral costs
• Love, care and comfort
• Parental guidance
• Assistance in the home
• Interest earned on the above since the date of the victim’s death

If you have suffered a loss due to a personal injury or wrongful death, seek counsel with a California lawyer experienced with these types of cases. You and your loved ones may be entitled to more compensation than you know.