Drunk Driving Accidents Kill 10k Annually
Learning that a loved one has died in a car accident is a devastating experience. When the loved one is a young child, the sorrow is often intensified. When the fatal car accident is believed to have been caused by a drunk driver, those left behind may experience feelings of anger and frustration in addition to their immense grief.
A recent study suggests that nearly one third of all fatal car accidents in Central Texas were alcohol-related in 2015. Further, the number of alcohol-related accidents that resulted in deaths has apparently increased 19 percent over the past five years. Drunk drivers are menaces to the roadways, and those who have suffered the untimely deaths of loved ones under such circumstances may take comfort in knowing that the law allows them to seek justice on behalf of their deceased family members in court.
One of the tragedies that occurred in 2015 involved a mother and her toddler, not yet two years of age. A car reportedly crashed into the woman’s vehicle, killing her young daughter. She has since stated that she thinks it is very unfair when another person’s selfish choice causes such a tragic accident. She believes that more needs to be done to prevent such crashes from occurring in the future.
Drunk Drivers can be Held Financially Responsible
The driver who was deemed responsible for the loss of the toddler’s life was arrested for drunk driving. Any parent who has suffered a similar loss in a Texas fatal car accident is able to file a wrongful death claim in a civil court to seek compensation for damages. Though no amount of court-award monies can replace the loss of a human life, it can at least help alleviate some of the tremendous financial burdens often thrust upon grieving families in such situations.
Source: kvue.com, “Central Texas drunk driving crashes up 19% in 5 years“, Amber Downing, Jan 22, 2016
