A car accident that results in a death can change the lives of everyone involved. For the victim’s family members, the death may result in a loss of vitally needed income as well as in the companionship of the loved one. For a negligent driver who may have caused the accident, the death may result in criminal charges and the prospect of facing a lawsuit.
Our Albany, New York, readers will be interested in a recent fatal accident that occurred in the town of Livingston. The accident took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. A 2003 Toyota, driven by a 19-year-old Germantown man, left state Route 9 and struck a utility pole. The vehicle’s back seat passenger, a 21-year-old Germantown man, was seriously injured in the collision. Both the New York State Police and the Livingston Fire Department reported to the accident scene, where the passenger was extricated from the vehicle by firefighters. He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, and he later died from his injuries.
The operator of the vehicle was charged with driving while intoxicated and vehicular assault in the second degree. The accident is still under police investigation, and the driver may face additional charges.
A driver believed to be under the influence could be considered negligent. In the event such a driver causes a collision that takes another’s life, the victim’s family has the right in the state of New York to sue the driver for wrongful death to receive compensation for their loss. It could also serve as a warning to other minors who choose to drink and drive.
Source: News10.com, “One dead after car strikes utility pole in Livingston,” Dec. 31, 2012