By choosing to ride in the passenger seat of a car, an individual could be placing his or her safety in the hands of another party. Should a fatal collision occur, in which the driver is deemed at fault, the family members of the deceased may wish to pursue restitution through a wrongful death claim. A recent accident in West Virginia claimed the life of a 32-year-old man and left the driver facing accusations of impairment.
Law enforcement agents assert the accident occurred just after 3 a.m. on a recent Sunday after the two men left a night club. According to reports, the driver of the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to navigate a curve in the road, causing the vehicle to veer off course and strike a nearby tree. The initial impact of the collision caused the vehicle to rip apart, and emergency responders reportedly found the passenger of the vehicle to be unresponsive upon arriving at the scene.
The man was rushed to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead soon after his arrival. Authorities initiated an investigation into the incident and they have advised that impairment may have been a contributing factor. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous, and those culpable of such negligence place the safety of everyone nearby in jeopardy.
Families who suffer loss in fatal collisions could be left in search of answers, and if the driver of a vehicle is found to be at fault, they may wish to seek accountability. Since the civil justice system can be complex, those who experience a similar situation could choose to retain the services of an attorney. An attorney can examine the incident and assist a client in West Virginia in pursuing the compensation deserved through a wrongful death claim.
Source: heraldmailmedia.com, “Virginia man dies in Martinsburg crash“, Matthew Umstead, April 9, 2018
