Not only are Georgia car accidents seemingly random, but so are their effects. A car can be completely mangled, but the driver walks away without a scratch. What appears to be nothing more than a fender bender, can result in years of pain and rehabilitation. A small bump to the back of a moving car sends it spiraling out of control, taking the lives of all inside, but the car and driver that hit them suffer no damage. The type and results of an accident are almost limitless, but one thing remains the same, the serious effects it has on its victims and those that love them.
A 50-year-old man from Tennessee is under arrest after causing an accident that claimed the lives of a Georgia husband and wife. The accident occurred when the Tennessee man’s BMW struck that back of the couples Ford Explorer, sending it careening down an embankment. The couple was pronounced dead at the scene. The Tennessee man was arrested and charged with two counts of first degree homicide by vehicle, in addition to charges for possession, DUI and other traffic offenses. The mid-aged couple, who were fondly remembered by co-workers and family alike, leave behind three children and a host of other family members.
Although the man was arrested and charged criminally in the death of the couple, their children and loved ones can still file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the BMW. While a criminal court may order the defendant to pay some form of restitution to their victims, it may not be as extensive as a civil verdict. In civil courts, the victims are ultimately the party that controls the case, unlike in a criminal court where the state controls. This allows the victims of the defendant’s actions to fight for the type of damages which they feel will compensate them for their loss.
An act of negligence can have many outcomes, some benign and some with far more serious consequences. The key is understanding you options by seeking help.
Source: Ledger News, “Woodstock couple killed in Adairsville interstate crash,” Jessica Lindley, Nov. 4, 2014