SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – The California Highway Patrol is looking for possible witnesses to an accident Wednesday night or early Thursday in which a car ran off state Route 56 in Rancho Penasquitos and someone was killed. A 23-year-old woman from San Diego was killed in the accident when her car went off the highway, hit a fence and rolled down an embankment. The car rolled at least once on its way down according to Officer Kenneth Jackman. The woman, who was in the Army, was found inside her Volkswagen Jetta underneath the freeway on Carmel Valley Road just west of Camino del Sur across from Evergreen Nursery.
A commuter who regularly passes that location while traveling to and from work, saw the car just before 6 a.m. Thursday and called 911. The commuter was able to tell police that the car had not been there at 5:30 p.m. the night before. Officer Jackman said the woman was partially ejected from the car but was still partially in the driver’s seat with her seat belt on when she was found. The cause of the accident and whether anyone else was involved is still unknown. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP or Crime Stoppers.
This young woman was the victim of a tragic car accident. Her family will now face the healing process of learning to live without her. If it is discovered that the accident was the fault of a third party, the young woman’s family may be able to recover from the third party for the loss of their loved one. Wrongful death is a claim against a person who can be held liable for a death. The claim is brought in a civil action, usually by close relatives. The relationships required to bring a wrongful death claim are listed by statute in each state. Immediate family members may have the option to bring a wrongful death claim in California, depending on the situation surrounding the death. In a wrongful death case, the victim’s loved ones may be able to recover for the loss of support or companionship that was previously provided by the deceased loved one.
Choosing a wrongful death attorney is an important and delicate process. At Berman & Riedel, LLP, our attorneys have years of experience in handling wrongful death cases, and understand not only the intricate legal aspects of handling such cases but also the emotionally sensitive aspects affecting our clients. We work diligently to see these cases through to completion so as to relieve as much stress as possible during this difficult time in our clients’ lives. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one in these circumstances, contact Berman & Riedel, LLP to discuss your legal options.