It is likely that no one is ever anticipating the news that their loved one has been killed in a car accident. In addition to the grief that family members experience as a result of an unexpected loss, car accidents could also result in a tricky financial situation. One family in California is likely coming to terms with their loss after a recent accident resulted in a fatality.
The accident happened just after noon in early February. Police in San Bernardino received calls reporting a serious collision. Reports indicate that a 23-year-old man in a pickup truck attempted to make a left turn. Unfortunately, a sedan was apparently struck in the process.
The driver of the sedan, whose identification was pending notification of his family, died at the scene of the accident. The other driver suffered minor injuries and was treated at this hospital. While it is unclear what charges will be filed, police have said that the driver of the truck was driving on a suspended license due to a previous DUI conviction.
The deceased man was reportedly an auto-parts deliveryman, but it is unclear if he was working at the time of the accident. If so, his family may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits. Unfortunately workers’ comp may not cover all of the losses related to the man’s death; however, the man’s family could decide to pursue a wrongful death case in a California civil court. Others who have lost family members in car accidents have chosen to do so in an attempt to lessen the impact of the financial ramifications of such a loss. If it can be proved that an accident was caused by another’s negligence, the court could award damages in accordance with state law.
Source: sbsun.com, “1 dead, 1 injured in San Bernardino crash“, Doug Saunders, Feb. 4, 2015