Can you imagine losing both of your parents in an instant? Let’s say you just finished a normal day at the office, and while you’re relaxing at home you get a call from your sister. She says that both your parents died in a tragic auto collision.
Even worse, you discover that the accident never should have happened in the first place. The driver that hit them was high on drugs.
Example of a tragic drunk driving crash
Recently a situation very similar to the one described above happened in New City, New York. A married couple, both of them in their 60s, were driving along Route 304, when they were hit by a speeding driver who was intoxicated by a controlled substance at the time. Both the people, who had been married for approximately a half century, didn’t survive for very long after the accident. Emergency responders pulled them from their mangled vehicle and rushed them to an ambulance, but they died soon after.
The 23-year-old man who hit the couple was the only one who survived the collision. He was injured with a head laceration but police expect him to be fine. From a legal perspective, however, he will not be fine. The man was charged with operation of a vehicle while impaired by drugs, vehicle manslaughter and other crimes.
The deceased couple in this case were retired with two children and four grandchildren. At this time, it is unknown if the children have contacted or consulted with an attorney.
Pursuing damages after the loss of a loved one
New York residents who have lost a close family member as a result of a drugged driver’s reckless and unlawful behavior may have viable wrongful death claims that they can pursue in civil court. If successfully navigated, such a lawsuit can bring family members money to pay for end of life expenses like funeral and memorial costs. It could also bring close family members compensation for lost family income, loss of companionship, attorneys’ fees, punitive damages and more.
