Unexpectedly losing a loved one is always devastating. Losing a loved one in an accident that was completely preventable is usually even worse. If your loved one died because another person acted in a reckless or otherwise dangerous manner, that responsible person should be held accountable for their actions. Moreover, you are probably facing many unexpected medical bills and funeral expenses. In addition, if your loved one was a primary breadwinner in the household, his or her death may leave you very concerned about how to pay your bills and support your family for the foreseeable future. Luckily, there is a way to recover financially in many situations to get the compensation you and your family deserve if someone else caused the fatal accident. A dedicated attorney at The Levin Firm can help you bring a wrongful death claim against the liable party and help you receive the settlement you deserve.
DUI Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death cases commonly follow accident caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. Though every adult should know that drunk driving is strictly against the law, millions of drivers continue to drink too much and get behind the wheel every day in the United States. Thousands of preventable fatalities happen annually because of the poor decision making of drunk drivers.
In order to prevail on a wrongful death case following an accident, you must show that the other driver was acting negligently. If the driver was breaking the law, such as an anti-drunk driving law, at the time of the accident, the court will find them to be “negligent per se,” or automatically negligent. This means that the most important thing you will have to prove at court is that the driver was, in fact, illegally under the influence. An experienced attorney knows how to use police reports and investigation techniques to show the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was over the legal limit and help you recover.