Bakersfield, CA – In the early hours of Sunday, April 21, 2024, at around 3:03 AM, a devastating train collision on Kimberlina Road, east of Highway 43, resulted in the deaths of three young men identified as 19-year-old McKinley Jordan Toliver and brothers Eric and Sebastian Tellez, reports KBAK.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the driver, Toliver, was driving a 2021 Honda westbound on Kimberlina Road, approaching the railroad tracks, while the train was traveling northbound.
Investigators have not yet determined why the Honda struck a railroad crossing arm before colliding with an oncoming train. The impact caused the vehicle to roll over, leading to fatal consequences for all three occupants. Circumstances surrounding the crash, including the vehicle’s speed and factors like alcohol or drug use, are still under scrutiny by authorities.
Wrongful Death Claims
While no amount of money can bring back those who lose their lives in a vehicular fatality, the emotional burden of their loss is often accompanied by a financial burden that falls on their surviving family members.
A wrongful death claim filed with the insurance provider of an at-fault driver can provide compensation to help cover medical expenses, burial costs, and even the loss of support for dependents of the deceased.
However, because insurance companies carry the incentive to reduce the payout for any claim they cannot deny, the services of a skilled personal injury attorney can prove crucial in securing justice for the deceased.
Passenger Liability
The liability insurance that drivers carry is not just meant to cover accidental harm caused to those outside of the vehicle. A driver is responsible for the safety of those in their vehicle as well. While making a wrongful death or personal injury claim against someone who knew the victim personally may prove emotionally challenging, the financial burdens following a vehicular accident can be hefty. A good personal injury attorney can help grieving families seek proper compensation for their loss by navigating these tricky issues.
