Most people realize that there are certain risks associated with driving. As such, they take precautions to protect themselves, such as ensuring they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving. Unfortunately, there is sometimes little that they can do to protect themselves from others on the roadways who fail to take the same precautions. In fact, a woman and her unborn child were recently killed in a California crash allegedly caused by a drunk driver; her surviving family members may choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit as a result.
The incident happened on a day in September. According to reports, a 28-year-old male driver, said to be a professional boxer, was speeding when his car entered oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, the vehicle is said to have collided head-on with a car driven by a 28-year-old woman.
The woman’s vehicle reportedly burst into flames. Though police were able to extinguish the flames shortly after, the woman — and her unborn child — died. Police say the other driver was found walking around the scene of the accident and was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. Though initially arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, the charges were upgraded to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated following the woman’s death.
The woman’s husband has since issued a statement expressing his grief and the difficulty he encountered informing his children of their mother’s death. Now, he is faced with caring for the children and planning his wife’s funeral in a time that should have been filled with anticipation over the birth of another child. In addition, the family may also struggle financially as a result of their loss. Following accidents in California that were caused by another’s negligence, many surviving family members choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If successfully presented, plaintiffs could receive a financial award that will help them cope with the expenses associated with their losses.
