Fatal Auto Collisions

California Fatal Auto Collision Lawyers

Fatal Car Accident · Motorcycle Accidental Death

When a loved one is killed in a car accident, motorcycle accident or pedestrian collision, survivors have a claim against the wrongdoer and the wrongdoer's insurance company. The California wrongful death specialists at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger make certain that the responsible insurance companies or corporate defendant pay what they owe. Our team of wrongful death lawyers make certain that the clients are not short changed. In California and Nevada, survivors must prove fault in order to succeed in any claim against the other driver's insurance company. To obtain the benefits your family needs, you need a lawyer who is a seasoned investigator, tough negotiator and a skillful trial lawyer.

Helping Victims' Families Since 1959

Call Now before Evidence is Destroyed

At the Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger wrongful death law firm, we have more than 40 years experience representing the families and surviving domestic partners of those who have been killed through the negligence of automobile drivers, truck drivers and other vehicle operators. We have the financial resources, the experience and the knowledge to successfully recover what is due and owing to the wrongful death survivors.

• We know the engineering dynamics involved in accident reconstruction.
• We understand how to secure and preserve evidence.
• We know how to calculate and argue all of your losses - lost wages, lost comfort and companionship, lost financial security.
• The attorneys at Walkup, Melodia also know how to investigate an accident to determine if there were other liable parties such as manufacturers of defective car seats, airbags, tires and brakes. We have successfully prosecuted car makers for safety equipment that fails to perform properly, poorly designed SUVs, or dangerous seat belts.

Examples of Our Success

Fatal Bus Crash / Death Of Mother - $1,139,700 Settlement

Our bus accident and transportation wrongful death lawyers successfully recovered wrongful death damages in the amount of $1,139,700 on behalf of the seven adult children of a sixty year old mother killed when the bus she was taking from Arizona to Mexico experienced brake failure as it descended a freeway off ramp in Phoenix. The high speed crash also killed the driver and severely injured several other passengers. The bus company had a principal place of business in Los Angeles, and the wrongful death lawsuit was successfully filed and kept in Los Angeles Superior Court. Shortly after the our wrongful death lawyers filed, the defendant bus company declared bankruptcy. Walkup attorneys obtained relief from the bankruptcy stay by stipulating that the amount of any recovery would be limited to the amount of the insurance policy limits of 5 million dollars. As the case progressed, the bus company’s bankruptcy attorney filed an interpleader claiming that the insurance proceeds were assets of the estate. Our attorneys immediately recognized that the interpleader, if unopposed, would significantly diminish the policy limits because bankruptcy laws gave the Trustee and the bankruptcy attorneys priority of payment over the injury claimants, and filed an opposition. The settlement was negotiated while a court ruling on the opposition was pending.

Cross-Median Accident - $2,750,000 Settlement

Our automobile accident attorneys obtained a settlement in the amount of $2,750,000 on behalf of the surviving wife and children of a 39-year-old San Francisco businessman who died when his car was struck head-on by another vehicle that had catapulted over the center divider of northbound Highway 101. The accident occurred when a Jeep, traveling in the opposite direction, lost control and climbed up and over the median, striking our client's husband. The settlement was contributed to both by the offending driver and the State of California. Our lawyers proved that the other driver was negligent, and that the median divider, as designed and built, was in violation of State of California design requirements.

Defective Car Seat Belt - $5,769,000 Jury Verdict

Our wrongful death trial lawyers obtained a jury verdict in Los Angeles Superior Court of $5,769,000 against Honda Motor Corporation on behalf of the surviving wife and two children of a 43-year-old man killed when his seat belt failed to properly restrain him in a low speed accident. The collision, which produced only minor damage to his vehicle, nonetheless resulted in fatal injuries when his seat belt fractured his ribs, punctured a lung, and lacerated his spleen. The other driver in the accident was not hurt. Using experts in the field of car engineering and design, forensic economists, and medical experts, our wrongful death trial lawyers showed that the design of the car was faulty, and caused the wrongful death. The verdict followed a three week trial, and at the time, was one of the largest in California for an automobile seat belt defect. The recovery included compensation to the heirs for the loss of the love, care and society of the decedent, as well as a sum to compensate them for his lost future earnings.

Vehicle Collision - $3,000,000 Settlement

Our automobile accident wrongful death attorneys obtained a settlement comprised of both cash and future annuity payments, having a present cash value of over $3,000,0000, on behalf of the survivors of a 42-year-old man who was fatally injured when his truck struck a guardrail at a rural bridge crossing. On the morning of his death, the decedent's pickup truck drifted across the center lane of a two lane road. After correcting back into his own lane, he struck and slid along a metal guardrail, which led to a bridge abutment. As he approached the bridge, there was a gap between the guardrail and the bridge rail. At the point of the gap, the front of the truck struck the abutment, which impaled the vehicle and its driver. Our wrongful death team demonstrated that the guardrail and bridge were not built in accordance with the original plans or specifications. The recovery included the future value of the decedent's wages, benefits and household services, as well as a sum to compensate his heirs for the loss of his care, comfort and society.

Big Rig Head-On - $2,000,000 Settlement

Our truck accident team negotiated a settlement in the amount of $2,000,000 on behalf of the surviving wife and two children of a 42-year-old man who died when his automobile was struck head-on by a semi-truck on State Route 65 outside of Lincoln, California. Our clients sought recovery for future and lost earnings as well as for the loss of love, comfort and society of their husband and father. As part of the settlement, our attorneys also worked with the worker's compensation carrier for the decedent. The case was settled after being filed in Sacramento County Superior Court.

At Walkup, Melodia, our California fatal car accident lawyers cannot bring back what you want most, but we can determine your financial losses and seek recovery for them.

Contact our California fatal auto collision lawyers today. Make an appointment for a free consultation. toll-free 1.888.732.8897.

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The wrongful death attorneys at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger represent the families of wrongful death victims in California and Nevada including the cities of San Jose, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Fresno, San Mateo, Walnut Creek, Concord, San Rafael, Napa, Redwood City, Stockton, Modesto, Los Angeles, San Diego, Reno, Las Vegas, Elko, Carson City, and Tahoe.