Maison Law represents the families of fatal pedestrian accident victims in Hanford. If you’re coping with the loss of a loved one, taking legal action may be the last thing on your mind, but it can serve as an important step in the recovery process.
Our Wrongful Death Attorneys at Maison Law can hold the liable party responsible for the untimely loss of your loved one and get you fair compensation to cover your financial burdens. Contact Maison Law today for a free and confidential consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Fatal Pedestrian Accident?
Unfortunately, there is no perfect way to compensate you after the loss of a loved one in a pedestrian accident. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take legal action to recover damages for your loss. That’s where Maison Law can help. Our Wrongful Death Lawyers will work tirelessly to ensure you and your family are awarded a wrongful death settlement, which includes compensation for:
- Medical bills directly related to the accident injuries from the time of the accident to your loved one’s death.
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income, which includes income from the time of the accident and future lost income
- Loss of household services your loved one used to provide
- Pain and suffering the decedent was exposed to before their untimely death
- Medical bills the decedent may have accumulated
- Loss of consortium
At Maison Law, our team will manage the legalities of your loss, so you can focus on grieving with your loved ones. Our legal team will help you:
- Manage all communication with the insurance companies
- Investigate the accident scene and gather crucial evidence to build your case
- Identify all liable parties and potential sources of compensation
- Negotiate a fair settlement to cover your loss and financial future
- Represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
What Info is Needed During a Law Firm’s Intake Process?
The intake process usually starts off with a questionnaire to assess the merits of the case. This questionnaire will provide the law firm with key information to help determine if a case is worth pursuing or not. However, if you’d like to speak directly to an attorney, you can usually setup a brief meeting to discuss the details of your situation prior to answering a questionnaire. The following data is what potential clients will need to begin the intake process with a law firm:
- Employment details: current or former employer, job title, dates of employment, and compensation information.
- Nature of the complaint: type of carelessness that led to your injury (premise liability, car accident, defective equipment)
- Timeline of events: dates of key incidents, formal complaints filed, relevant communications with employer
- Witnesses: names and contact information of potential witnesses to the alleged misconduct
- Documentation: list of relevant documents (x-rays, MRIs, doctor’s diagnosis, physical therapy appointments, workers’ compensation forms)
- Prior legal action: if you’ve filed previous claims, then the details of your previous case may be relevant to your new case
- Medical information: details about your medical diagnosis and treatment plan
- Social media presence: your injury may be documented online, as well as you discussing the details of your personal injury
How Maison Law Wins Fair Settlements for Families Impacted By Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
At Maison Law, we understand how essential it is for you to take the necessary time to process this tragic event in your life. That’s why our legal process is streamlined to get you a fair settlement as soon as possible, so your family can focus on grieving. Our legal services consist of building an ironclad case on your behalf through:
- Accurate damage calculation: we calculate damages based on expert testimony, medical evaluations, and economic analyses to cover every aspect of your current and long-term medical needs.
- Clear reports and expert witness testimony: Our firm compiles detailed reports that outline the extent of the fatal injuries during the incident and the impact the loss of a loved one will have on the rest of you and your family’s lives. We organize expert witness testimony to reinforce the credibility of your claim and the incident.
- Minimizing liability: If you file a claim or lawsuit against an at-fault party, they will most likely attempt to put some or all of the blame onto you. Our firm will analyze your case and work to minimize or eliminate liability altogether.
- Negotiating with insurers: Our attorneys are expert negotiators and understand the tactics insurance companies will use to attempt to minimize your damages and compensation. We ensure our clients receive a fair settlement that fully covers their current and future needs.
- Court Representation: Our trial lawyers will represent you in court and build a strong case, highlighting the depth of damage done to your life and the necessity for recovering fair compensation.
Dangers of Being a Pedestrian in Hanford
The number of pedestrian fatalities in Hanford has been on the rise over the past decade. According to the California Offices of Traffic and Safety, there were over 200 fatal pedestrian accidents in 2023, up almost 50% from the prior year. The increase in pedestrian fatalities was largely driven by the number of traffic fatalities involving pedestrians, where nearly two-thirds (60.4%) of all traffic fatalities were fatal pedestrian accidents in 2023.
The majority of these accidents involved drunk drivers, driving in downtown areas with the highest concentration of pedestrians. With distracted driving, inadequate pedestrian infrastructure in the downtown area, and a high risk of fatal accidents, it is important that Hanford pedestrians exercise caution and safety before stepping out onto the street.
Who is Liable in a Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Hanford?
If a pedestrian is fatally injured at a crosswalk, 3 elements would need to be proven to admonish the pedestrian from liability and prove the driver was completely at fault:
- The driver owed the pedestrian a duty of care
- The driver breached the duty of care because they engaged in reckless behavior
- The driver’s recklessness caused the pedestrian’s injury that led to their death
The following violations can show a driver was not offering pedestrians a duty of care at a crosswalk:
- All drivers must reduce their speeds or stop, if necessary, to yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk.
- A driver must stop before the line, not in the middle of the crosswalk.
- A driver must stop if a pedestrian is in his or her half of the lane or approaching quickly enough to be in the direct path of the vehicle.
- Drivers are not permitted to pass stopped vehicles while they’re allowing pedestrians to cross at a crosswalk.
If your loved one’s death was caused due to a careless, or reckless act, you have the right to sue for damages. California Law offers families legal resources to recover damages after their loved one suffered a fatal pedestrian accident. A Wrongful Death Lawyer at Maison Law can help you take the next steps toward recovering compensation.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in a Fatal Pedestrian Accident?
Before pursuing damages in a wrongful death lawsuit, you should know the legal requirements of who is permitted to file the lawsuit. Typically, this right is reserved for immediate family members because they are the ones most affected by the loss. However, in California, several other people are allowed to file suit, according to the Code of Civil Procedure, section 377.60. The eligible members include:
- 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
- Dependent minor living in the household
- The next of kin
- 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 become entitled to compensation.
Contact a Hanford Fatal Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
We know that no amount of money will heal the pain of losing a loved one, but filing a lawsuit against those responsible for an untimely loss can hopefully bring you some sense of justice and closure. If you’ve lost a loved one due to a reckless driver at a crosswalk, sidewalk, or anywhere else in Hanford, the dedicated Wrongful Death Attorneys at Maison Law can help. When you’re ready to reach out, contact us anytime for a free consultation and case evaluation.
