Car accidents: Negligence may result in civil claims

When the negligence or recklessness of a driver of a motor vehicle results in injuries to other road users, the driver may find him or herself answering to personal injury or wrongful death claims. Many Illinois personal injury lawyers assist the victims of car accidents in the filing civil claims, based upon a contingency fee basis. In short, this means that there will be no initial costs to the client.

The family of a 49-year-old man who passed away after a car accident may find solace in the knowledge that a wrongful death claim may be appropriate. The accident happened just before 9 a.m. on a recent Sunday morning in May. It is reported that the deceased was northbound on Route 71 when his vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle, which crossed the center line.

The accident is currently under investigation. It is unclear if drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident. Both the drivers suffered injuries and had to be transported to hospital. The northbound driver was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. The condition of the other driver, said to be 18 years old, is not known.

Should the investigation suggest that driver negligence or recklessness was the root cause of the Illinois accident, the legal estate of the deceased driver may file a wrongful death claim against the teenage driver. Furthermore, any separate owner of the car the teen was operating may also be named in the claim. A successfully litigated claims may result in an award of financial damages for the surviving family of the deceased victim. Victims of similar car accidents, including the surviving families of those who were killed, have the right to pursue similar claims for financial redress through the civil court system.

Source: kendallcountynow.com, “Aurora man killed in crash near Newark“, Tony Scott, May 8, 2017