Wrongful death claims may follow multi-fatality accident

Thousands of alcohol-related accidents occur in the state of New York each year. Unlike many other types of car accidents, drunk driving incidents are entirely preventable and often result in serious injuries and even death. And for the individuals and their families that are subjected to the reckless actions of drunk drivers, the consequences can be permanent and life altering. If it is found to be true that one suspect was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fatal incident, she may face personal injury and wrongful death claims in addition to the criminal charges already placed against her.

Following the fatal, multi-vehicle car crash, the 21-year-old woman suspected of causing the incident was admitted to a Los Angeles, California, hospital under police monitoring. The suspect sustained major injuries in the accident, and was reportedly being treated for a ruptured bladder and broken bone. And despite the fact that she was admitted to the hospital, the young woman faced felony charges of manslaughter and drunk driving.

The suspect is accused of causing a major car accident that involved three vehicles and took the lives of six people recently. The incident allegedly occurred when the suspect drove into oncoming traffic on a westbound freeway and struck a vehicle, which was then hit by another car. The accident occurred early in the morning on a Sunday, and only one other individual besides the suspect survived with moderate injuries.

Few details were provided specifying which victims were in each vehicle, but two female victims reportedly died after being transported to hospital. Two other females that were in the suspect’s vehicle succumbed to their injuries at the site of the incident, and a male and female victim who were both ejected from their cars died as well.

Source: USA Today, “6 die when driver goes wrong way on Calif. freeway,” John Bacon, Feb. 10, 2014