Alameda Sheriff Deputy Kill Pedestrian | Castro Valley Hayward 4-19-13

An Alameda County Sheriff’s Department deputy patrol vehicle struck two pedestrian in Castro Valley early in the morning hours of April 19th around 4:30 in the morning. According to local authorities and hospital officials one person a male was killed in the incident and a female pedestrian suffered serious injuries including severe trauma to the head. The accident took place in an unincorporated part of Hayward at Mission Boulevard and Cherry Way in Castro Valley. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is currently investigating the incident. Pedestrian and motorists accidents caused by law enforcement vehicles including police cruisers and CHP and Sheriffs cruisers are all too common. For example according to a recent article published by the LA Times the city of Los Angeles, “has paid nearly $24 million in settlements or verdicts in about 400 LAPD traffic-related lawsuits over the last nine years.” Each year close to an estimated 100 individuals are killed in accidents involving police vehicles. Filing a Wrongful Death Claim Against Deputy and Sheriff’s Department: In the State of California relatives of victims of auto accident are permitted to file a wrongful death cause of action against all at fault parties. California Code of Civil Procedure delineated which relatives have the legal right to file a lawsuit for the death of a relative, “The decedent’s surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and issue of deceased children, or, if there is no surviving issue of the decedent, the persons, including the surviving spouse or domestic partner, who would be entitled to the property of the decedent by intestate succession.” Filing a Personal Injury Claim: Injured victims of police vehicle accidents are entitled to compensation for their injuries and any other significant damage which includes

• All hospitalization costs
• All rehabilitation expenses
• Cost of disability care
• Pain and Suffering
• Lost Wages and Loss of future income

Liable parties in accidents involving police or sheriff’s vehicle may include not only the driver but the department he was working for since the accident took place during the scope of his employment. Legal Information: For more information regarding any possible legal action for accident caused by police vehicles contact our Law Offices toll free (855) 339-8879.