Posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2015 at 7:41 pm
On Tuesday, a collision between a bicycle and motor vehicle in Sacramento CA claimed the life of the bicyclist and left the driver of the car shaken. According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident between the bike and vehicle occurred around 6:45 a.m. near 47th Avenue and 54th Street, when the bicyclist was crossing 47th Avenue and was hit by the car near the middle of the street.
The California Highway Patrol closed all eastbound lanes of 47th Avenue to investigate the accident. Although neither the identity of the bicyclist or the driver has been released, the authorities did acknowledge that the driver who hit the bicyclist stopped after the accident and is cooperating with investigators. No additional details have been released.
The Legal Process Involved in Fatal Sacramento CA Accident
After a fatal Sacramento CA car, truck motorcycle, pedestrian or bicycle wreck, there are two possible directions the legal process can take: criminal and civil. The criminal justice process takes place if the authorities reach the conclusion that criminal activity—such as drunk driving or excessive speeding—are involved and thus decide to bring charges against the at-fault driver. The criminal punishments available in these cases include jail terms, hefty fines, community service, and restitution.
If authorities decide not to press charges against the at-fault driver, this means only that they did not have enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the driver committed a serious crime. However, it does not mean the driver can not be held liable in a civil case, where the burden of proof to show their wrongdoing is lesser. While criminal penalties such as jail time and fines are off the table in civil cases, the harmed party may still sue for financial compensation for their property damage, medical bills, funeral expenses, and pain or emotional suffering.
Call the Tiemann Law Firm for Legal Representation in Sacramento CA Wrongful Death Cases
If your family member has been catastrophically injured or killed in a wreck which was caused by a negligent driver—regardless of whether criminal charges were brought against them—you should learn more about the possibility of a civil lawsuit against the driver (and their insurance company) in order to recover the financial compensation you deserve. You can learn more by reading our Sacramento CA wrongful death page or by calling us for a free consultation about your potential claim at (916) 999-9000.
