Many people understand that if they are injured, or loved ones are killed in a car crash, they have options for legal recourse. What they often don’t realize is that even if the driver who caused the collision perished in the accident, they might still be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. This may be particularly important in cases where several people died, and more were injured, which happens all too often with multiple people killed and injured.
The tragic scenario plays out in California and throughout the country. Authorities report to a multi-car crash, many times involving a vehicle drifting over a centerline and into the oncoming lane of traffic. A head-on collision results with drivers and passengers in both vehicles suffering severe injuries or losing their lives.
The injured occupants rushed to nearby hospitals suffering major or minor injuries. Tragically, the severity of the collision also can result in a pronouncement of the death of the driver who was responsible at the crash site.
Getting to the Facts of a Tragic Event
An essential component of proving liability of a driver that died due to their own negligence is the police investigation that determines precisely who and what caused the crash. They identify any mitigating circumstances that caused the deceased driver to collide with another vehicle or vehicles, such as intoxication, excessive speeding, or distracted driving.
In a scenario like this and many others, families may fear that they have no way to hold the negligent party accountable, as it appears that the person responsible also lost his life due to the car accident.
Options exist. Victims and their families could decide to file a civil claim against the estate of the driver and any other party deemed responsible. Grieving loved ones feeling as if they have no options can turn to an experienced attorney who can guide them through the complexities of a personal injury or wrongful death claim.