Colfax Highway Intersection Fatality May Have Involved Drunk Driver
An elderly woman from Grass Valley died on March 27 after being involved in a collision with a suspected drunk driver. The collision occurred along Colfax Highway at Brunswick Drive around 3:08 p.m. According to authorities with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), they arrived at the accident scene to find the 80-year-old trapped inside her Mercedes. She was determined to have died in the crash.
Elderly Woman’s Vehicle Broadsided in Fatal Accident
Another motorist, a Colfax resident, 81, was heading west along Brunswick Road when he missed a sharp curve and went into the opposing lane, striking the Mercedes broadside. His vehicle then hit a pole and a street sign. The male driver was determined to have been drunk driving.
Driver Arrested for Suspected Drunk Driving and Facing Charges
The man was arrested for suspected felony DUI and transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Afterward, he was booked into the Nevada County Jail. The identity of the deceased woman has not been released by the coroner’s office, pending the notification of the family.
Losing a Family Member Due to a Drunk Driver
Losing a family member in a car accident is one of the most devastating events a person can experience. The loss of a loved one is difficult enough to cope with, but when it is caused by the recklessness of another person, it can be especially difficult to come to terms with. Car accidents caused by drunk drivers are all too common, and they can leave a family feeling helpless.
The emotional pain of losing a family member in a car accident caused by a drunk driver can be excruciating. The shock, anger and sadness that comes with the sudden loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. It can be difficult to understand why someone would choose to get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol, and the senselessness of the situation can make it even harder to come to terms with.
The aftermath of a car accident caused by a drunk driver can be just as difficult as the initial loss. Families may face mounting medical bills and funeral expenses, in addition to the emotional toll of grief. It can be hard to know how to move forward after such a traumatic event, and many families struggle to find a sense of closure.
Recovering Compensation by Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
If a negligent driver has caused the death of your loved one, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for damages by filing a wrongful death claim, such as:
- Loss of income provided by the decedent is recoverable. This includes any pension, insurance benefits and others until the normal retirement age.
- Compensation for the loss of companionship, consortium and emotional support may be recovered by the surviving spouse.
- Funeral and burial costs can be recouped.
- Loss of inheritance can be recovered in some cases.
- Loss of household assistance may be recoverable, including cooking, cleaning, tax preparation or other areas that the decedent took care of. Punitive damages may be allowed if the death was caused by egregious negligence or was intentional, such as drunk driving. This award is in addition to recovering damages through the wrongful death lawsuit. It is not meant as compensation but to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior.
A personal injury lawyer can help you to understand your legal rights, as well as the best steps to take to seek justice. A lawyer can investigate the case to collect the evidence needed to support the family’s wrongful death claim.
Grass Valley Wrongful Death Lawyer
I am Ed Smith. I’m a Grass Valley wrongful death lawyer. You might want to seek compensation from an accident attorney if your loved one has died in a traffic accident caused by someone else. We can help you with your accident claim by calling (530) 392-9400. You can reach us toll-free at (800) 404-5400 or online. Free consultations are available in person or virtually. The consultation will allow us to discuss your accident case with you, and we will be able to answer any questions you have about recovering compensation.
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