When New York drivers agree to give someone a ride, they have a duty to try to keep that passenger safe on the roadway. Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is never safe and often leads to car accidents. One man was recently killed while riding with a driver accused of being drunk.
Officials said that four men were traveling in an SUV on Interstate 95 when the crash occurred. The driver of the vehicle attempted to change lanes and lost control. The SUV then collided with a backhoe that was parked at a nearby construction site.
All four men were taken to an area hospital for treatment. Tragically, one was pronounced dead upon arrival. Authorities did not reveal the conditions of the other three. The driver of the SUV has since been charged with multiple offenses, including vehicular manslaughter, assault, criminal negligence, driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a breath test.
Losing a loved one is always difficult, and especially so when it might have been prevented had someone refrained from drinking and driving. Though nothing can replace a victim’s life, a victim’s surviving family may choose to file a wrongful death claim in civil court against the driver believed to be responsible. When successful, these claims can provide monetary damages that can help pay for medical bills, funeral costs and other monetary damages related to the crash. Any families who have lost loved ones in car accidents could consult experienced New York attorneys to learn more about these types of claims.
Source: thehour.com, “Norwalk man killed in Bronx crash“, Leslie Lake, Aug. 28, 2017
