Losing a loved one in a car accident can be devastating. When the cause of the crash is a drunk driver, it can be even more heartbreaking knowing that the entire incident could have been avoided had that driver not gotten behind the wheel. One Pennsylvania family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a taxi driver charged with killing a man in one such accident.
According to police reports, the driver’s cab jumped the curb after making a turn. The cab then hit two pedestrians that were on the sidewalk. One victim was killed by the impact, and the other victim suffered serious injuries to his lower body. The driver claimed that his vehicle left the roadway because he was attempting to avoid another driver that ran a red light. However, police stated that video surveillance contradicts that claim.
Authorities alleged that the driver’s blood alcohol content was .114, while the legal limit is .08. Police charged him with homicide by vehicle while under the influence, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter, DUI, careless driving and failure to use a seat belt. The family of the deceased victim has since chosen to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the taxi driver and his employer.
If the family’s lawsuit is successful, they could receive monetary damages that could help pay for the cost of the victim’s funeral and cover other monetary damages related to the crash. Any family facing similar loss at the hands of a drunk driver or otherwise could also consider filing a wrongful death claim. An experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney could assist anyone interested in learning more about this type of claim.
Source: post-gazette.com, “Police charge cab driver in fatal pedestrian crash in Downtown Pittsburgh“, Paula Reed Ward, July 11, 2017