The Support You Need. The Settlement You Deserve.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in Fresno

Pedestrians can find themselves in harm’s way anytime they are near road traffic.  Pedestrians have no protection in a collision with a vehicle and the results can be devastating.

Walking at night comes with elevated risk when careless drivers may not bother to take a second glance to spot pedestrians in low-light conditions.  The National Safety Council found that around 7,680 pedestrians were killed in 2018. 79% of those tragedies happened in urban settings. 76% of the accidents happened at night.

After sundown, there’s increased risk for anyone walking on the road.  A distracted motorist can strike a pedestrian and cause severe injuries and even a loss of life.  It’s even more tragic when that driver makes the choice to leave the accident scene to avoid the consequences.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Southeast Fresno

A hit-and-run driver struck and killed a man walking in southeast Fresno early Thursday Morning. ABC-30TV reported the accident happened on westbound Jensen Avenue just east of Armstrong Avenue around 1 am on August 13, 2020.

The California Highway Patrol found the victim dead in the roadway.  They believe he was struck by three vehicles. The initial driver to hit the man did not stop after the accident. Two more vehicles that later struck the pedestrian did stop and cooperate with investigators.

The Highway Patrol has no description to release on the hit-and-run driver or the vehicle involved at this point.

Compensation for the Family After a Hit-And-Run

In hit-and-run accidents, the family can get little time to grieve the loss of a loved one before hospital bills and funeral costs come due. It’s an especially difficult time because the family has also just lost the financial support the victim would have provided from his or her job.

Families can hope to receive compensation for the loss of a loved one. This compensation can cover the financial and emotional tolls the tragedy leaves behind for the family.  If the driver is never identified the victim may be covered by his or her personal insurance policy.

If the deceased carried un-insured/under-insured motorist coverage then a claim for damages can be filed.  If not, there may be a close blood-relative who lived in the same house as the victim who has coverage that might also cover the victim. Uninsured motorist insurance is inexpensive and offers at least some protection for a family that’s been affected by a hit-and-run driver.

Wrongful Death Claim in California?

If the responsible driver is known or was located later, certain family members are permitted to seek damages from the driver’s insurance company.

California’s wrongful death laws are found at the California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 et. seq. The applicable statute designates who might be able to bring a wrongful death claim.

The deceased victim’s husband or wife. If there is no surviving husband or wife, the deceased’s children or dependent stepchildren. If there are no children or dependent stepchildren, the deceased’s dependent parents can bring the claim.

A wrongful death claim can recover money for many of the hardships placed on the victim’s family.  These can include support for medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages the victim would have provided in the future, mental pain and suffering, and a loss of emotional support a spouse and children would have received from the victim.

Contact a Fresno Wrongful Death Attorney

California allows the family of a wrongful death victim up to two years from the date the loved one passed away to file a claim.  Experts with The Maison Lawfirm do no recommend waiting the full two years.  The more time that passes after an accident, the harder it will be to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and collect documents needed to build a strong case.  A local attorney can help you with these important details.

After an accident involving a tragic death in the Central Valley, contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.

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