Losing a loved one is hard. No amount of money paid or jail time served can alleviate the sadness for families and friends. However, recovery is critical to moving on, and there are legal options that may help. This is especially true when a pedestrian accident victim dies as a result of a drunk driver.
An integral member of a California family was killed earlier this month while standing beside his 1969 yellow Cadillac. Reportedly, the elderly man had parked his car on a busy city street. Standing beside the driver’s side door, he was hit by the passenger side of a pickup truck. The victim was transported to a local hospital, but didn’t survive.
The driver of the truck, 47, is suspected of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of felony DUI and gross negligence in vehicular manslaughter based on his failed field sobriety test. Authorities say that there were no skid marks at the scene, and it appears speed was not involved.
When the investigation concludes, prosecutors will decide whether or not to file charges against the driver. Holding him accountable in court will help the victim’s family as they come to terms with their loss. However, there are other options that an experienced review of the facts may support if they decide to seek compensation. A business that owns a vehicle might share liability if an accident is caused by an employee, for example.
An altered future, when it is proven to be caused by the negligence or deliberate action of another, will benefit from personalized planning. Effective legal remedies can be considered, pursuit of which may help restore survivors’ peace of mind.
Source: The Press Democrat, “Bystander killed, DUI suspected in west Santa Rosa crash” Elizabeth M. Cosin, May. 13, 2014
