Colorado readers likely know that any car accident can be devastating to anyone involved and their loved ones. Car accidents where alcohol is involved may be even more traumatic, however, and can change the lives of even the person responsible. One recent car accident where alcohol was found to be a factor, may lead the families of those involved to seek enforcement of their rights under our state’s wrongful death laws.
According to officials, the head-on car accident happened on Interstate 70 inside a construction zone. The driver was reportedly traveling eastbound in the westbound travel lanes when the vehicle collided head-on with a tractor-trailer. The force of the collision ended the lives of all three young people in the vehicle. The truck driver was uninjured.
Reports from the Coroner’s office following the accident indicate that the driver’s blood alcohol content level was almost twice our state’s legal limit of 0.08 percent. This information may be key in any civil claims sought by the families of the other young people killed in the crash. Under Colorado’s personal injury laws, the family of anyone killed in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, may have the ability to seek damages against that party, or their estate.
For the families of the young people killed in this accident, wrongful death claims against the estate of the driver, or any other parties found negligent, may be one way that they can find a bit of respite. Though it is too early to tell whether such claims may be filed, successfully litigated wrongful death claims can provide the families of Colorado victims with much needed financial compensation for their loss, funeral expenses, lost wages and more. Though it may be shallow respite in the face of strong adversity, even a bit of peace can help families move through the grieving process.
Source: therepublic.com, “Coroner’s officials say teen driver killed in Glenwood Canyon crash had alcohol in her system,” April 23, 2013
