Drivers make countless decisions before and after getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. They decide where they are going, what route to take and what music to listen to as they travel. They may also make more serious decisions, such as whether to drink alcohol or take drugs when they know they must get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, not every California driver exercises good sense, and many wrongful death cases result from accidents involving these drivers.
A recent accident demonstrates how tragically poor decisions can affect the lives of others. One afternoon, a woman was waiting for a traffic light to change when another vehicle slammed into the rear of her car. The impact sent the woman’s vehicle into the back of the car in front of hers. While no one in the third car appeared to suffer injuries, the woman whose car was struck was not breathing when first responders arrived.
Paramedics rushed the unconscious woman to the hospital, but doctors pronounced her dead from her injuries. The driver whose car collided with hers also suffered serious injuries and underwent surgery. Early in the investigation, police determined he was likely under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In the blink of an eye, life can change because of someone else’s poor decisions. Families who lose loved ones in tragic accidents may have many things to deal with, including financial burdens. Seeking compensation through a wrongful death claim is one common way to hold negligent drivers responsible for the suffering that often results from their reckless choices.