Modesto, CA – On the night of Friday, February 16, 2024, on an off-ramp of Highway 99, a female pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run collision in what authorities are investigating as a homicide, according to the Modesto Bee.
Witnesses reported that the woman was screaming before the vehicle struck her around 8:50 PM. It had been traveling northbound on Highway 99 and turned onto the Sixth Street off-ramp, where she had been walking.
After the collision, the car sped away. Authorities have not released any details regarding the vehicle or the victim’s name.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Motorists are required to exercise an additional “duty of care” towards pedestrians due to their heightened vulnerability in car accidents, which more often result in pedestrian fatalities.
In cases where a driver is found responsible for a pedestrian fatality, the victim’s family may have grounds to initiate a wrongful death claim through the driver’s insurance provider. Compensation from a wrongful death claim can help cover medical costs, burial expenses, and the financial support lost by dependents of the deceased.
Should the driver escape justice, compensation may be available from a family member’s uninsured driver coverage.
Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts for claims they cannot outright deny. That is why the services of a proficient personal injury attorney can prove crucial for grieving families through the complexities of seeking justice for their loved ones.
