Drunk driving accidents can be devastating for victims and their loved ones. A fatal accident can cause great grief and distress for the loved ones of the dead victim, and no amount of compensation can make up for the loss. However, seeking compensation can help them overcome the financial problems that may result from the accident, allowing them to mourn in peace.
A 19-year-old man from Germantown, New York, allegedly caused the death of a 21-year-old man in a fatal accident that occurred on New Year’s Eve in Livingston. The man was driving a 2003 Toyota with the victim as a passenger, and he crashed into a utility pole at around 1:30 a.m. Officers from the Livingston Fire Department arrived at the scene soon after the accident and extracted the victim from the car’s rear passenger compartment. He was taken to the Albany Medical Center but did not survive.
The driver was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, and he was charged with second-degree vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated. He was arraigned and released on personal recognizance. The charges could be increased because of the passenger’s death.
As well as suffering the loss of a loved one, the family members of the victim of a fatal car accident must often spend a substantial sum of money on medical and funeral expenses. If the victim was a major contributor to the family’s income, they also have to find a way to compensate for these lost earnings. They can try to ease their financial burdens by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver, because he should have known not to drink and drive.
Source: Register-Star, “Driver, 19, charged in fatal car crash,” Joe Gentile Hudson, Jan. 1, 2012