Maison Law represents the families of fatal motorcycle accident victims in Turlock. If you’ve suffered the untimely loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident due to the careless actions of another, Maison Law is here to get you the financial support you need during this difficult time. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Turlock?
Unfortunately, there is no perfect way to compensate you after the loss of a loved one. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take legal action to recover damages for your loss. With the help of a wrongful death attorney, you and your family may be rewarded a wrongful death settlement, which includes:
- 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, we have a team of wrongful death attorneys who can 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 Evidence is Needed to Prove a Wrongful Death in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Turlock?
When dealing with a fatal motorcycle accident, it is not always easy to prove fault. In some instances, there are multiple parties involved, as well as comparative negligence. Comparative negligence is when blame is divided amongst multiple “at-fault” parties, as stated within California’s Comparative Negligence Law.
Regardless of how many parties are involved, if you can prove someone else’s negligence caused the death of your loved one, you will most likely have a case. The following are four elements of evidence necessary to prove fault in a wrongful death case:
- Had an obligation to act with reasonable care: If a person is driving a car or a truck they are expected to follow traffic laws, as well as be aware of other drivers on the road.
- Breached their “duty of care:” The plaintiff must demonstrate they were owed a duty of care by the person at fault. For example, in a fatal motorcycle accident, the duty of care would have been ignored if another car broke a traffic law and was driving dangerously before the collision.
- Acted careless or reckless: If the defendant failed to do their and caused another’s death, the plaintiff must prove the other’s careless or reckless actions resulted in the loss of their loved one.
- Damages: The plaintiff must be able to prove they suffered damages due to the loss of their loved one.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim for a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Turlock?
According to the Statute of Limitations in California, you have two years from the day you lost your loved one to file a wrongful death claim. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if a government bus ran a red light and caused the death of your loved one. You would have six months, instead of two years to file a wrongful death claim.
Another exception would be the “discovery rule.” This rule delays the statute of limitations if you could not have reasonably known about the wrongful death right away. For example, let’s say defective breaks on a motorcycle caused a cyclist to crash. They suffer a brain injury, but the injury isn’t fatal until years later. The discovery rule says that the two-year clock does not start running until the day the cause of their death is discovered.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Turlock?
Compensation for fatal motorcycle accidents varies widely based on factors such as the amount of income lost due to the loss of your loved one, the amount of medical bills owed due to the accident, and the funeral expenses. However, an average amount can be reached by calculating the cost of economic and non-economic damages you and your family have suffered due to the untimely loss of a loved one. These damages 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
Contact a Fatal Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Turlock
If you’ve lost a loved one due to the careless driving of another, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Maison Law are here to get you compensation for all you have had to endure during this unfortunate time. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There is no upfront charge or hidden costs, and we don’t make a cent until we’ve won your case.
