It is a devastating situation when a family member is killed in an accident caused by someone else's negligence. Fortunately, there are legal remedies to consider, but it is important to understand that no amount of money can bring back a loved one. That is the pain that an Ohio family is feeling after a 22-year-old man was killed in an accident caused by a truck driver's failure to stop at a stop sign.
The fatal truck accident happened in Mahoning Township in August 2008. The semi-truck plowed through an intersection and crashed into the man's car, causing it to hit power poles and spin around. The truck jackknifed due to the impact.
The man's skull was fractured in the accident. He also suffered internal bleeding and injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital, but died from cardiac arrest while in transit.
The driver of the semi-truck was never charged with criminal activity. However, the victim's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit and was recently awarded $5.4 million. The truck driver was considered to be 30 percent at fault with the trucking company, Guru Global Logistics, liable for 70 percent.
A wrongful death suit can be applied to a variety of situations, including car accidents. When a person dies due to the negligence of another party, the surviving family members can seek compensation for the damages through a wrongful death claim. This type of civil case can hold a person responsible for his or her behavior and hopefully deter the person from allowing it to happen again.
Source: New Castle News, "Wrongful death suit yields $5.4 million jury award," Debbie Wachter, March 29, 2014
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