Corcoran Fatal Car Accident Lawyer

Maison Law represents families of fatal car accident victims in Corcoran. Losing a loved one is tough and it’s even more challenging knowing it could have been prevented. If you’ve lost a loved one due to another driver’s recklessness, the wrongful death attorneys at Maison Law are here to help. Contact Maison Law today where one of our caring and dedicated attorneys will assist you through each step of the legal process.

How a Corcoran Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Fatal car accidents are complicated due to the number of ways a car accident can occur. However, an experienced Wrongful Death Attorney will be able to identify all the responsible parties. Common liable parties for fatal car accidents include:

• Negligent drivers
• The provider of alcohol to an underage driver
• A car mechanic shop for failing to repair a hazardous issue  
• The vehicle manufacturer who failed to replace defective parts
• A local, city, state, or regional government allowed for a dangerous road condition to exist

Once the responsible parties are identified an attorney will then:

• File a lawsuit against all at-fault parties
• Gather evidence through investigators, interrogatories, discovery requests, and depositions.
• Protect you and your family’s rights to fair compensation, even if the car accident was partially your fault
• Negotiate a fair settlement 
• Represent you at trial if a settlement cannot be reached

Corcoran Fatal Car Accident Damages

After a fatal accident, the decedent’s family can file a wrongful death claim, as well as a survival action claim to receive damages. In a wrongful death claim, there are 4 types of damages the victim’s family can receive. These include:

1. Burial and funeral expenses
2. The decedent’s lost income and financial support
3. Pain and suffering 
4. Loss of consortium

Survival action is oftentimes filed along with a wrongful death claim because it claims damages the victim suffered before their death. Survival action damages normally include:

• Medical expenses the decedent incurred because of the wrongful.
• Damage to the decedent’s property during the wrongful act
• Wages the decedent lost between the wrongful act and the date of death
• Non-economic losses such as:
  • Pain and suffering before the death occurred
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement

It is important to note these processes take time. Some may even have strict deadlines, which is why it is recommended to discuss your situation with a Wrongful Death Attorney as soon as possible. 

Who Can Receive Compensation in a Fatal Car Accident in Corcoran?  

According to the Code of Civil Procedure, section 377.60, the following people can seek compensation for a wrongful death:

• Surviving spouses
• Domestic partners
• Children
• Grandchildren (only if the deceased person’s children have also passed away
• Stepchildren may claim damages if they were at least 50% dependent on the decedent’s financial support
• Anyone entitled to the deceased’s property under intestate succession law

However, if no one in the decedent’s life fits the listed people above, there are additional individuals who qualify for compensation. If a person is dependent on the decedent such as a stepchild, or parent, they are entitled to compensation.

When is a Person Liable for a Wrongful Death in a Fatal Car Accident?

In the state of California, the surviving family can bring a wrongful death action after a fatal car accident if a direct act of carelessness, recklessness, or an intentional wrong act caused their loved one’s death. In a wrongful death lawsuit, you and your family are the plaintiffs, and the liable party you are suing is the defendant. The plaintiff must prove the defendant:

1. Had an obligation to act with reasonable care
2. Breached their “duty of care”
3. As a result, the plaintiff suffered the loss of a loved one as a direct result of the careless action
4. The reckless act was foreseeable and could have reasonably been avoided 

Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Corcoran

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Corcoran had a total of 64 accidents where victims were severely or fatally injured in a car accident in 2021. The most common causes of fatal car accidents in Corcoran include:

• Distracted Driving: even momentary glances can cause devastating accidents. Distracted driving can be proven through camera footage, cell phone records, and collision investigations.

• Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal car accidents every year in California. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.

• Moving violation: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
   
• Driving under the influence (DUI): this action is one of the leading causes of fatal car accidents in California.

What is the Typical Compensation for a Fatal Car Accident in Corcoran?

It is difficult to assign a dollar amount to the grief and trauma experienced by the surviving family members of a fatal car accident. However, the severity of your economic damages (such as lost wages and funeral costs) and non-economic damages (emotional harm, depression, and anxiety) will give you an idea of what you can expect from a wrongful death settlement. These damages combined include:

• The financial support received from the decedent
• Loss of income the decedent would have continued to earn
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of benefits the family would have received from the decedent
• Loss of consortium
• Mental trauma and anguish associated with the loss of a loved one

No amount of money will be enough to make up for the loss of a loved one, but you shouldn’t have to continue to suffer financial burdens because of it. Our wrongful death attorneys at Maison Law are standing by to give you and your family the support they need to get through this difficult time. 

Contact a Corcoran Fatal Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve lost a loved one due to the carelessness or wrongful act of another in Corcoran, Maison Law can help. We offer free consultations to help you understand your legal options and to give you a path forward during this difficult time. If you have questions, we’d love to answer them. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.