Some people consider traffic signs and stoplights nothing more than nuisances in their daily commutes. Fortunately, many view them for what they are — measures that likely save millions of lives each and every day. Choosing to ignore the safety laws governing traffic can have deadly consequences. For example, a fatal car accident in Wisconsin is believed to have been caused by a man driving under the influence who failed to stop at an intersection.
The accident happened around 7:30 one evening in mid-January. Police believe that a 27-year-old male driver in a pickup truck did not stop at an intersection. As a result, the pickup plowed into the passenger side of a sedan driven by a 54-year-old woman.
Although reports indicate that the woman was wearing a seat belt, she died at the scene of the accident. The driver of the truck remains hospitalized as he receives treatment for serious injuries. He is believed to have been driving under the influence and faces a homicide charge in connection with the accident.
The news of the unexpected death of a loved one always comes as a shock. However, what can be just as shocking to a grieving family is the realization of the financial implications of a person’s death. In addition to funeral expenses, a victim’s family members may have difficulty coping with the loss of the victim’s income. Many people in Wisconsin who have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by another’s negligence have sought financial relief by filing a wrongful death case in a civil court. A successfully argued case could result in an award of damages in accordance with state law.
Source: rivertowns.net, “UPDATE: Minnesota man charged with vehicular homicide in wake of Tuesday’s fatal crash“, Sarah Young, Jan. 15, 2015