Two People Fatally Injured in Traffic Accident in San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino, CA (December 12th, 2021) – Two drivers lost their lives after their vehicles collided on the early morning hours of Sunday, December 12th in San Bernardino.

According to San Bernardino police, a 34-year-old man from Highland was driving a Mercedes-Benz around 2 a.m. at a high rate of speed. The Highland resident was headed westbound on Rialto Ave., state authorities in a news release. A second vehicle, a Honda Civic, was being driven by a man from Yucaipa. The 64-year-old resident from Yucaipa was traveling east on the same road.

Both motorists were sole occupants in the vehicles.

Based on reports, the Mercedes-Benz driver lost control of his vehicle, which resulted in him crossing over the double yellow lines and into oncoming traffic. He ultimately collided with the Honda.

The Honda broadsided the Mercedes, leading to the Mercedes being split into two separate parts. The person driving the Mercedes-Benz was ejected from the vehicle and landed on the roadway.

Authorities pronounced both drivers deceased at the scene. Neither party has been identified by authorities pending notification of next of kin.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, including determining whether speeds and/or drugs and alcohol were factors in the accident.

Those with further information are being asked to contact authorities.

Wrongful death is perhaps the most devastating outcome that can result from someone else’s recklessness. When a person dies as a result of another’s negligence, the victim’s family should not have to carry the resulting financial burdens. The families of those who perish as a result of another’s careless actions deserve justice.

The State of California allows family members the opportunity to seek compensation on behalf of their deceased loved one through a wrongful death claim, when the victim was tragically killed as a result of another’s negligence. Proving a wrongful death claim is challenging. The support of a well-versed attorney can help handle the legal aspects of the case while the family continues to grieve and heal.

To be successful in a court of law, a wrongful death claim will need to establish specific elements of negligence. The first element needed is to prove that the responsible party had a duty to care for the victim. The plaintiff seeking compensation will also need to prove that the defendant violated his or her duty to the victim. This is usually represented through evidence that the accused broke a law at the time of the incident.

The next element that should be demonstrated in a claim is that the violation of duty of care led to the accident, which resulted in the victim’s untimely death. Finally, the death caused the plaintiff’s suffering and losses.

Determining the duty of care owed to the victim will depend on the type of accident that happened. While a majority of traffic-related wrongful death accidents are caused by other drivers, some are caused by other parties. Aside from other drivers, fatal traffic accidents can be caused by construction companies, government agencies, manufacturing companies, and other private organizations.

Once it has been established that the death was caused by the at-fault party’s negligence, it is then necessary to prove the existence of damages caused by the victim’s passing.

In California, the primary focus of a wrongful death claim is to help the victim’s loved ones recuperate their financial losses caused by the sudden death of their loved one. This usually comes in the form of tangible losses, such as funeral expenses, burial costs, the loss of the victim’s income, and any medical treatment he or she may have received prior to his or her passing.

The State of California has routinely held that any damages for emotional distress cannot be recovered in a wrongful death claim. With this being said, other intangible losses may be sought, such as the loss of household services, the loss of companionship, the loss of care, and the loss of moral support.

If you have recently lost a loved one in a traffic accident caused by another party’s negligence, you should know that it can be very difficult to establish the elements needed to prove a case. For this reason, it is necessary to obtain the support of a skilled wrongful death attorney who can investigate the case on your behalf and ensure the at-fault party is brought to justice.

For over a decade, the Law Offices of Attorney Justin H. King has advocated on behalf of families grieving the loss of a loved one who passed as a result of another’s careless actions. Through compassionate legal representation, Attorney King has helped many clients bring a successful wrongful death claim. For a free case evaluation, consider contacting the Law Offices of Attorney Justin H. King today.