One woman’s family is grieving following a vehicle crash that took her life in New York; multiple other people suffered injuries in the accident. The crash took place early in the morning on a recent Sunday and allegedly involved driving under the influence. When reported DUI car accidents end up killing an individual, the reportedly intoxicated driver may be held accountable not only through the criminal justice system but also the civil court system.
According to police, a woman, 19, was riding in a car being driven by a man at around 6:30 a.m. As it was attempting to leave the parkway, the vehicle hit a guardrail at an exit ramp and flipped. The woman suffered fatal injuries in the collision, and the male driver suffered a serious arm injury in the collision.
Three people who were in the backseat of the car also suffered injuries and were taken to the hospital, where their condition was reported stable. The male driver was charged with driving while intoxicated as well as vehicular manslaughter in the second degree. He also faces charges of vehicular assault in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
The parties who were injured in the alleged DUI crash have the right to file personal injury claims against the driver, seeking the reimbursement of monetary damages resulting from these types of car accidents, such as medical costs or lost wages. Meanwhile, the family of the woman who died may elect to file a wrongful death lawsuit against him. If the man is convicted on his charges, the plaintiffs may present proof of the conviction in civil court in an effort to establish his liability in the New York crash.
Source: NBC New York, “Staten Island Woman, 19, Killed in Brooklyn Crash: Police“, Nov. 8, 2015
