Passenger dies in alleged drunk driving accident

When a loved one is killed in an accident while traveling as a passenger in a vehicle that is operated by a drunk driver, it would be only natural for the surviving family members to want to hold the driver liable. Drivers are responsible for the safety of their passengers, and deaths resulting from a drunk driving accident are always preventable. An Illinois family may choose to take legal action after the recent death of a loved one under such circumstances.

A police report states that the accident occurred in the early morning hours of a recent Sunday. The driver allegedly ran a red light and drove in the wrong traffic lane before striking multiple vehicles that were parked on both sides of the street. The vehicle then rolled over, and the front seat passenger had to be extricated by emergency workers.

The driver and passenger suffered serious injuries, and they were both rushed to a hospital. Sadly, the passenger succumbed to his injuries a short time later. The driver was reportedly admitted to the intensive care unit. According to the police, the driver will be facing several charges related to DUI.

Coping with such an unexpected death of a loved one in an alleged drunk driving accident is naturally a traumatic experience. At the same time, the financial impact of medical expenses for the time leading up to the person’s death, along with costs typically associated with end-of-life arrangements, will also have to be considered. A wrongful death claim can be filed in an Illinois civil court if evidence of negligence can be established. A victim’s family may seek recovery of both financial and non-financial losses.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “DUI charges filed in Evanston crash that left U.S. Army veteran dead”, Mitchell Armentrout, Sept. 27, 2015