Massachusetts 3-car accident could lead to wrongful death claim

The dangers of drinking and driving are well-known. Unfortunately, some people continue to get behind the wheel after drinking, confident that they can safely drive. However, alcohol can slow a person’s response time, ultimately resulting in a fatal car accident. Many victims of drunk driving accidents — including loved ones of deceased victims — choose to pursue justice by filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Such legal action may be possible after a man was charged in connection to a recent accident in Massachusetts.

The accident happened just before 4 p.m. one afternoon in early October. According to police reports, a 20-year-old man was under the influence of alcohol when the vehicle he was driving struck the rear of a car driven by a 51-year-old woman. The impact reportedly pushed the woman’s vehicle into oncoming traffic where it was struck by a minivan.

The woman was transported to the hospital. The driver of the minivan was also injured, but is expected to survive. The accused driver faces multiple charges as a result, including those related to driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

The death of a loved one is typically a shock to family members. They are left picking up the pieces of their lives — both emotionally as well as financially. Many times, surviving family members choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit when their loss was caused by another’s negligence. By doing so, families in Massachusetts who successfully present their cases are typically able to receive monetary damages to cope with the financial consequences of their loss and are often also able to achieve at least some sense of justice.

Source: masslive.com, “Buckland man arrested in connection with fatal three-car crash on Route 2 in Shelburne“, Shannon Young, Oct. 3, 2015