Wisconsin residents likely remember the horrific details of a fatal pile-up on Highway 151 just north of Fond du Lac. The car accident took place in May 2012, and led to the death of two men and injuries to eight others. The incident made headlines across the state, and touched the hearts of many within the area.
A group of motorcyclists were travelling on Highway 151 when a motorist is believed to have crossed the center line and crashed into at least 10 of the bikers. Two of the men died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash. Another lost a leg, requiring 98 days of hospitalization and 44 pints of blood to treat his injuries.
The driver who struck these motorcyclists was charged with felony counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, as well as injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle, bail jumping, reckless endangering safety and possession of a controlled substance. He was recently ruled competent to stand trial in the matter, and will appear for a motion hearing in early January. It appears that in addition to the criminal proceeding, the driver will face multiple civil lawsuits associated with the crash.
Multiple hospital liens have been filed by or on behalf of victims of the crash. One was in an amount exceeding $407,000, another was over $177,000 and a third for over $93,000. At least one of the victims is pursuing the driver’s aunt for damages, as she is the owner of the vehicle he was driving at the time of the crash.
When a Wisconsin car accident is believed to have been caused by driver negligence, victims and their families have the right to pursue civil lawsuits against the responsible parties. In the worst scenarios, wrongful death suits based on evidence of negligence can help surviving family members recover damages associated with their loss, including the expense of funeral arrangements and loss of future income. In cases in which the victim survives a crash caused by the wrongdoing of another, a personal injury lawsuit can go a long way toward easing the financial strain of medical care and rehabilitation, as well as time lost from work.
Source: greenbaypressgazatte.com, “Multiple civil lawsuits filed in motorcycle crash,” Dec. 27, 2012
