Losing a loved one in an automobile accident is a traumatic experience. The loss can become exponentially more difficult to deal with when the death was caused by the negligent conduct of another driver. A Texas mother has recently been put in this unbearable predicament after her 16-year-old daughter was killed in an accident that could lead to a wrongful death claim.
The mother and her daughter were in a minivan at a traffic light that was located in the close proximity to railway tracks. They were approached from behind by a sedan that was traveling at a high rate of speed. When it rear-ended the minivan, the sedan’s momentum caused the minivan’s roof to be sliced off. The sedan only came to a halt after clearing the train track and rolling over multiple times.
The young girl sustained critical injuries and died the following day. The injuries suffered by the mother were reported to be minor. The sedan’s driver was also taken to a hospital where he was admitted to intensive care. The police chief reported that the accident scene provided evidence that indicated alcohol may have contributed to the accident.
Apart from the trauma, the unexpected death of such a young person could potentially have devastating financial consequences for the family. The accumulating bills related to medical and funeral expenses may seem insurmountable. While a victim’s life can never be brought back, a Texas family has the right to file a wrongful death claim if a loved one’s death was the direct result of another person’s misconduct or negligence. Monetary relief awarded as the result of a successful claim may cover expenses related to the tragedy as well as the loss of the deceased individual’s future income.
Source: 12newsnow.com, Police say 16-year-old dies after Vidor accident, No author, Feb. 8, 2014
