A 16-year-old died in a recent car wreck when a vehicle driven by a visibly impaired man crashed into the teenager’s car at a stoplight. Police said that the SUV driven by the impaired driver was running at a ‘high rate of speed’ and slammed the rear of the teenager’s vehicle. Both drivers were taken to a hospital where the teenaged driver was pronounced dead. The other driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Signs of Driver Impairment
According to the police report, the driver of the SUV admitted having a few drinks hours before the crash and that he takes Xanax. Investigators also noted that his speech was slurred, his eyelids droopy and appeared disoriented. The driver also said that he did not remember what happened.
Court records also indicate that the SUV driver had a history of at least 5 prior DUI offenses with 4 convictions before the crash. Police charged him with vehicular homicide for the death of the other driver.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In addition to the criminal charge for vehicular homicide, the driver of the SUV may also be held civilly responsible for the wrongful death of the 16-year-old driver.
In Nevada, the estate and the surviving heirs of a decedent may be entitled to damages arising from the negligence or recklessness of another party. If you recently lost a loved one in a wreck caused by another person, the grief following your sudden loss can be overwhelming. The recklessness that may have contributed to the collision can aggravate a senseless loss and must be dealt with to prevent similar occurrences.
If you have suffered such a loss, it is important to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer about your legal options.
Your Las Vegas wrongful death attorney can evaluate your situation, determine whose fault or negligence caused the crash, and advise you on your next steps to obtain justice for the loss of your loved one.
Wrongful death compensation may be awarded as payment for:
- Medical expenses that a decedent may have incurred before death
- Funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Damages for loss of companionship, probably support, and of comfort and consortium
In some cases, the decedent’s estate may also ask for exemplary or punitive damages which serve as penalties for the reckless behavior of the defendant.
Call the Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen personal injury law firm today at (702) 505-8115 or contact us online. Our car accident attorneys will evaluate your case during a complimentary initial consultation.