The holidays are, for most Alameda families, a time to celebrate together. The loss of a loved one at this time of the year can be a particularly devastating blow, especially when it occurs as the result of another individual’s negligence and could otherwise have been avoided entirely.
For example, a police officer was working on Christmas Eve in a nearby town. He was a rookie on the force, a young man in his early thirties with three children. He and his partner had parked on the shoulder of a freeway late in the evening when their patrol SUV was hit from behind. The officer, who was seated in the passenger seat, was killed. His partner, who was seated in the driver’s seat, was injured.
The car that struck them was driving so fast that it crushed the police vehicle, practically compacting it. The man driving the car that struck the police SUV was 22 years old. He had been drinking alcohol as well as using marijuana. He was injured as well in the crash. The young officer who lost his life in the fatal car crash on Christmas Eve was recently honored with an hour-long procession of police vehicles following his hearse along the route where he was killed.
The last thing likely to be on the mind of any grieving family members who have lost a loved one in a fatal accident is compensation. However, such a loss can all too often prove devastating financially to a family, especially when the deceased earned an income that supported the family. This is why a wrongful death claim against a negligent individual may be an important action to consider. A legal professional can help manage the process, allowing the family space to grieve while holding an intoxicated driver accountable if appropriate.
Source: East Bay Times, “Procession held for CHP officer killed Christmas Eve from Oakland to Tracy,” Angela Ruggiero, Dec. 26, 2017