most of us will be involved in some sort of car accident in our driving lifetime. Even if the car crash is not serious in nature and everyone walks away from the accident unscathed, it is still a very unsettling experience. However, there are accidents that result in serious injury or death. These are the types of accidents that can make one appreciate the dangers of driving.
A Pennsylvania teenager who was speeding and driving under the influence of marijuana caused death and serious injury to passengers in his car. The teen was traveling at excessive speeds when his car hit a bump in the road and flipped over. The car also hit a utility pole so hard that the car was cut in half and then hit a tree.
The driver of the car sustained some injuries. The individual in the front passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene. The other three passengers suffered serious injuries. The teenage driver was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, involuntary manslaughter and other offenses.
In serious car accidents, police can conduct an accident investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Once this is done, depending on the circumstances, individuals may be charged with driving offenses as it relates to the accident. The criminal charge may be an aggravating factor, but the injured person and their family may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury civil suit.
Victims of a car crash and their families may have medical expenses and other issues related to the accident. When a negligent driver causes a crash that injures other motorists or passengers, the injured parties may be entitled to lost wages and medical expenses. Additionally, where appropriate, the court can award punitive damages to the families for pain and suffering.
Source: Phillyburbs.com, “Police: Northampton teen high, speeding in crash that killed one, injured 3,” Jo Ciavaglia, March 6, 2013