The accident happened in a single second, but it would change her life forever. A seventeen year-old girl, whose name is currently being withheld, may be facing criminal charges after she survived a fatal head-on collusion in Montrose, Minnesota, earlier this month.
At 9:39 a.m. the teenager crossed the center lane, crashing into a motorcyclist driving a Suzuki Road Sport motorcycle. The motorcyclist died on the scene of the accident.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, last year over 300 people were killed in car accidents in the state alone. Over 30,000 people in total were injured or were involved in motor vehicle accidents. Of the fatal accidents, over 60% of them were preventable. For 21% of fatal accidents, one or both of the motorists were known to be driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Furthermore, 20% of fatal accidents could have been prevented had the driver been observing the proper speed. And another 18% could have been prevented had the driver not been distracted while behind the wheel.
The accident involving the 17 year-old girl is still under investigation. We do not yet know if alcohol, distracted driving, or speeding was involved.
The fact remains: due to an car accident that occurred in a split-second, many lives have been irrevocably altered. A teenager faces potential criminal charges for wrongdoing, a motorcyclist is dead, families are grieving.
The immense pain and suffering following a car accident can be overwhelming for the family and for injured individuals. In the case where a loved one dies, there may not be immediate answers available. Fortunately, the law protects injured victims and their families by allowing them to seek compensation for their losses.
We don’t yet know what recourse the family of the motorcyclist will choose following this accident.
However, Minnesota’s wrongful death law allows families to seek compensation for their losses. The law allows the family to take action against a negligent party, especially if the deceased might have been legally able to take action had he or she lived. Benefits can go to a spouse or next of kin to pay for funeral expenses and also to cover pain and suffering resulting from the loss. The next of kin can also claim damages for any injuries the family member received, as if the person had lived and filed a personal injury lawsuit.
Minnesota has statutes of limitations on the amount of time families have to make a lawsuit, so families who wish to seek damages following the death of a family member are wise to act quickly.
Contacting a wrongful death lawyer is an important first step in making sure that justice is served and that those who are responsible are held accountable for their actions.
The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino has been helping countless families seek justice following tragedy. The firm combines compassionate counsel for victims, while aggressively fighting those whose irresponsible actions led to a loved one’s death.
If a family member has passed away in a car accident, you need a personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case and determine whether you might be entitled to compensation for your loss. We provide free case evaluations to determine how much money you can receive.