Drinking and driving isn’t ever a good idea because there’s an increased risk of an accident occurring. Unfortunately, some individuals think that they can do this safely. A recent case in San Mateo County highlights just how wrong things can go when a person drives while they’re intoxicated.
Allegedly, a man left a party with a friend as a passenger in his BMW. As they were nearing a curve, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree before rolling back into the traffic lane. The passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead on the scene of the crash. The driver had major injuries and had to be airlifted to a hospital.
The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office notes that the vehicle was going approximately 80 to 90 miles per hour when the accident occurred. The driver is now facing criminal charges related to the crash. This won’t bring back the man who perished in the crash, but it might help to bring the family some closure.
Drunk driving and speeding are two primary causes of car crashes. Because both of these are fully preventable, there isn’t ever a good reason why an individual should suffer because of them. Sadly, victims may perish in crashes caused by these drunken drivers. In these cases, the loved ones who are left behind may opt to pursue wrongful death claims.
Wrongful death lawsuits are won by proving that the negligence of the at-fault driver caused the crash. Also, the wreck must have led to the decedent’s death and the individuals bringing the lawsuit must have suffered harm because of that death.