Los Angeles, California – Authorities today identified 19-year-old Nathaniel Brown as the victim killed in a four-vehicle collision on the eastbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway in the Mid-City area of Los Angeles.
California Highway Patrol officers responded at 1:56 a.m. Wednesday to the eastbound lanes near the South La Brea Avenue exit, where they found a silver Honda Civic and a dark-colored Infiniti that had collided in the middle lanes, according to CHP Officer Megan Curtis.
Two additional vehicles were also involved and were later located on the right shoulder of the freeway. A nearby resident reported hearing an initial crash, followed by another vehicle slamming into one of the already-involved cars.
Brown was pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed.
The CHP issued a SigAlert, closing all eastbound lanes of the 10 Freeway during the emergency response. All lanes were reopened and the SigAlert was lifted by 6:35 a.m., officials said.
What Compensation Can Families Recover in a Wrongful Death Case?
Families in California may be entitled to recover a wide range of economic and non-economic damages after a wrongful death. When you work with a dedicated wrongful death attorney California, your legal team will evaluate every impact the loss has had on your family—both financially and emotionally—to pursue the full compensation allowed under state law.
Economic Damages
These are financial losses tied directly to the death, and may include:
- Loss of financial support the victim would have provided throughout their expected lifetime.
- Loss of benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and other employment-related benefits.
- Value of household services the victim would have provided, such as childcare, transportation, and home maintenance.
- Medical expenses incurred before death (if applicable).
- Funeral and burial costs.
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for the emotional and relational impact on surviving family members:
- Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, and guidance.
- Loss of consortium for a surviving spouse or partner.
- Emotional suffering caused by the death (distinct from the victim’s own pain and suffering, which is not recoverable in California wrongful death claims).
When the Death Results From a Car Accident
If the wrongful death occurred in a crash, families may still seek compensation through a car accident law firm with extensive experience handling fatal collisions. Working with proven car accident lawyers in California or a knowledgeable Los Angeles car accident attorney ensures that all liability angles are fully investigated, including negligent drivers, commercial carriers, defective auto parts, or dangerous roadway conditions.
Call Megeredchian Law for Immediate Help
Your family has one opportunity to pursue the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Megeredchian Law are ready to protect your rights, handle every aspect of the claim, and fight aggressively for maximum recovery.For a free consultation, call (866) 359-0807 today.