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A tragic multi-car accident in Philadelphia’s Oxford Circle killed two people on Tuesday. And it appears the two people lost their lives to one terrible decision: The driver’s choice to drive under the influence of drugs.
According to police, a 33-year-old man ran a red light, hitting another car, which then hit a jeep. The individuals in the Honda were killed and the Jeeps’ driver had minor injuries. Chief Inspector Scott Small commented on the accident: “The driver of the striking vehicle that caused the accident, the 33-year-old male has no injuries. However, he appeared highly impaired.”
Driving under the influence of drugs
Under Pennsylvania law, driving under the influence of drugs is equal to drunk driving. A person charged with DUI can face significant consequences, especially when the DUI causes death.
The families of individuals killed by DUI want to see justice done in criminal court. Yet, the criminal case will not compensate them for their medical bills, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. Instead, they must look to the civil court system.
Through a wrongful death lawsuit, victims’ families can hold a reckless driver liable for their financial and emotional suffering. In DUI cases, they may also be able to recover punitive damages from the driver. These damages are what they sound: they punish the driver for his or her actions.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, we offer our sincerest condolences. While the criminal justice system takes care of the criminal charges, an experienced car accident attorney can take care of the civil side and help you recover the compensation you need to start moving forward during this very difficult time.
To learn more about bringing a lawsuit after a DUI crash, please visit our page on DUI accidents.
Source: CBS Philly, “Driver facing charges in deadly northeast Philadelphia crash,” Jenn Bernstein Nov. 13, 2012