Two people were killed and six others were seriously injured in a two-car accident in Santa Clara County on Sept. 20. The California Highway Patrol was contacted about the fatal car accident at 9:48 a.m.
According to authorities, an eastbound 2005 Chevrolet Cruze that was driven by a 53-year-old man and was carrying two passengers collided with a westbound 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. That latter vehicle was driven by a 20-year-old woman from Sylmar who had four passengers with her.
The 50-year-old driver of the Cruze and his 65-year-old passenger were killed in the accident. The second passenger in that vehicle, a 54-year-old San Jose woman, as well as the driver of the other vehicle and her four passengers all suffered major injuries in the collision and were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Police did not believe alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident.
A personal injury lawyer advising the family of a fatal accident victim might recommend filing a claim for damages if he or she believes it can be established that the suit’s potential defendant was guilty of negligence that caused the accident in question. In a wrongful death suit, information from the police report as well as any charges brought against a driver might be used as evidence. In California, a successful wrongful death lawsuit could yield a plaintiff noneconomic damages tied to the pain and suffering experienced by the decedent as well as the loss of companionship of a victim’s surviving relatives. A plaintiff can also be awarded compensation for economic damages that can include medical costs incurred by a victim prior to his or her death and the loss of that person’s financial support.
Source: KTVU, “San Jose man killed in Hwy. 152 crash ID’d”, September 25, 2014