Bicyclist killed in car accident in California
Drinking is often a way to celebrate a milestone or to enjoy rapid stress relief with just a few sips of alcohol. However, drinking and driving do not go hand-in-hand; when a person decides to do both simultaneously, this can cause a car accident that results in serious injury or even death because alcohol distorts a person’s judgment and negatively impacts his or her coordination skills. When a person loses a loved one to a drunk driver in California, he or she may seek justice in a seemingly unjust situation.
A recent accident led to the death of a bicyclist. The crash occurred when an 18-year-old woman allegedly struck the bicyclist and then fled the scene. Officials arrested her after seeing that her vehicle’s windshield was majorly damaged.
Police said that she was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. The bicyclist died at the scene of the crash. He was 21 years old.
The woman who authorities believe struck the bicyclist and fled the scene will have to face her criminal charges. The loved ones of the bicyclist may also elect to file a wrongful death claim against her. They have the right to seek monetary damages, which may help to cover expenses connected to the car accident. If a criminal conviction is secured in California, proof of the court’s judgment regarding the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and related criminal findings might be useful for proving her liability in a civil court proceeding. No amount of money can bring back a loved one, but it can help the surviving family members to experience closure in such a difficult case.
Source: The Republic, California woman arrested in fatal hit-and-run after fire official spots cracked windshield, Christopher Weber, Feb. 3, 2014