Passenger Dies in Drunk Driver Accident
A suspected drunk driver was arrested recently in Sacramento after crashing their vehicle. The accident resulted in the death of one female passenger and injuries to another. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the collision occurred along south State Route 160 near Canterbury Road at about 10:20 in the morning. The accident is under investigation by the CHP, and anyone with knowledge of it is asked to phone Officer Greg Zumstein or Officer A.J. McTaggart. The phone number to call is (916) 348-2300 or at cell-phone number (916) 798-0975.
Details of the Accident
Officers with the CHP identified the driver of the vehicle as a resident of Rancho Cordova, and this person was found outside the vehicle when they arrived at the scene. The two female passengers were trapped inside and had to be extricated. Neither was wearing seat restraints when the vehicle crashed. Both women were transported to a hospital. One of the females was declared dead upon arrival. The condition of the other passenger has not been released at this time. The driver was placed under arrest by the CHP at the hospital after it was determined that they were under the influence when the collision occurred.
Accidents Involving a Drunk Driver
Drunk drivers are responsible for about 10,000 traffic fatalities each year. An intoxicated driver shows poor judgment, has slowed reflexes and poorer vision, which causes an inability to drive safely. When an accident is caused by a drunk driver, the offender can face heavy fines and jail time when convicted. A conviction for this serious offense provides strong proof of negligence in a wrongful death claim.
How to Help After a Death in a Family
When someone loses their life, the family faces feelings of disbelief, grief and confusion. Interaction with others can help them get through the rough days, weeks, and months ahead. Some ways in which others can help include:
- Reach out. Grief can be disabling, so reaching out is necessary to offer your help and comfort the grieving.
- Listen while they talk about their lost loved one. Talking is one of the ways a person processes and works their way through their grief.
- Take a grieving person out to eat or invite them for a meal. A change of scenery always does someone good.
- Offer to babysit or walk their dog.
- Help out around the house by shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, doing laundry, washing dishes, or weeding the garden.
- Keep in touch following the services. Call, make plans together and be consistent at it.
Investigation of a Wrongful Death
Our law office has vast experience in investigating deaths caused by another person’s or entity’s negligence. We start by sending out our investigators to the accident scene. They talk to the witnesses to get their statements and look over the police report for errors. Additional areas of investigation include:
- Performing accident reconstruction
- Checking for traffic and business surveillance cameras
- Looking for road marks that might indicate whether the vehicle tried to stop or not
- Checking for examples of government neglect such as malfunctioning lights, missing signs and overgrown foliage
Our lawyers take over when all evidence has been gathered. It can be used in insurance company negotiations on the client’s behalf or in preparing a strong court case for compensation.
Related Article by Sacramento wrongful death lawyer Ed Smith:
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death lawyer in Sacramento. If your loved one was lost due to negligence by another person or entity, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim for compensation. Give me a call at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice or (800) 404-5400 if you live outside the area code. I can also be reached by filling out the message form online.
During my 38 years working as an injury lawyer, I’ve helped numerous Sacramentans get fair compensation in areas such as traffic collisions, traumatic injuries, and accidents involving wrongful deaths.
Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel are groups I am honored to belong to.
Read client comments and reviews along with cases my firm has handled at:
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