Dangers on the roadway are everywhere. Sometimes they come in the form of weather conditions or vehicle malfunctions, which can be hard to prevent and avoid. Other times, however, they come in the form of reckless or intoxicated drivers. When Missouri drivers or passengers are involved in a car accident caused by another driver, they have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain facts, such an intoxicated driver, can increase the likelihood of success of the lawsuit because it is helpful evidence of fault.
Approximately three months ago, a St. Louis woman caused a car accident in Missouri that resulted in the death of a man from Illinois. The accident resulted from the woman driving the wrong way on the highway. She collided head-on with the other man’s vehicle. Because her blood-alcohol content level was well above the legal limit, she has been charged with first-degree involuntary vehicular manslaughter.
Proving fault in a car crash is often one of the most difficult parts of a personal injury lawsuit. In some situations, the defendant may try to argue that the plaintiff driver also contributed to the accident or that factors beyond his control caused the accident. When police issue citations or determine that a driver had a BAC level above the legal limit or when criminal charges are pressed against the driver, these facts serve as strong evidence of fault and liability, however.
After a car crash, victims may suffer catastrophic injuries that result in significant medical expenses. These medical expenses, compounded with loss of income during recovery, can create undue financial hardship for car accident victims and their families if they are not compensated for their losses. A personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for the crash can help protect a victim’s financial future, as well as ensure that the driver is held accountable.
Source: CTPost.com, “Mo. Woman accused in deadly wrong-way crash,” Nov. 25, 2013