Too often, reports of lives lost as a result of drivers who are under the influence of alcohol are on the news. Because of the potential harm that intoxicated drivers can cause to themselves as well as others they may encounter, much effort is put into educating the public. Unfortunately, a recent fatal crash in California appears to further illustrate the dangers of drunk driving. A wrongful death could potentially follow.
The incident happened just after midnight on a morning in August. According to police reports, a northbound vehicle driven at a high rate of speed crossed over the median of a California roadway. Police claim that the vehicle then struck two southbound vehicles, a sports utility vehicle and a sedan.
Reports indicate that one person in the SUV was in killed; six people in the vehicle were injured. While an occupant of the sedan was injured, the extent of injuries is unclear. The driver of the southbound vehicle is in critical condition. The investigation into the incident is ongoing; however, police believe that alcohol played a role.
While police work to discover all the details of the accident, the victims of the crash — including surviving family members of the deceased — are likely still coming to terms with the incident. Those who were injured may have a long road to recovery while the family of the deceased is left, unexpectedly, planning a funeral. Often, the combinations of funeral costs and lost wages are more than a family can manage, prompting them to file a wrongful death lawsuit when their loss was the result of a negligent driver. A successfully presented case could resulted in a financial award that will allow them to focus on their recovery rather than the bills they must pay.
Source: Coronado, CA Patch, “1 Dead, 6 Injured In Fatal Coronado Crash“, Aug. 21, 2017
