Most drivers in Wisconsin are safety-conscious. They follow traffic safety recommendations and generally drive in a way that attempts to prevent them from causing an accident. Unfortunately, some people are not always able to protect themselves from the negligent acts of others. In fact, recent reports indicate that a fatal accident was caused by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol.
The accident happened on a day in mid-October. Police say that a 46-year-old man was driving a sports utility vehicle that was traveling behind a sedan driven by a 60-year-old man. The younger driver allegedly attempted to pass the sedan as the other driver was trying to make a left turn into a driveway, causing a collision.
The driver of the sedan died as a result of injuries suffered in the accident. A passenger in his vehicle was flown to the hospital for treatment, but information and details about this victim are unclear. Police say that the driver of the SUV initially denied that he had been drinking, but he failed multiple field sobriety measures. He was arrested and is expected to be charged with homicide by drunken driving.
While law enforcement officials work to determine the appropriate criminal charges, a Wisconsin family is left, unexpectedly, planning a funeral for their loved one as a result of the fatal accident. Additionally, the passenger that was hospitalized is likely facing a long recovery. While the physical and emotional implications of an accident such as this are clear, many people may not fully understand the financial implications such a loss can have. Often, victims — including surviving family members in the event of a fatality — choose to file a personal injury lawsuit against the parties deemed responsible to ensure that they are able to cope with the financial aspects of their loss.