Residential roads, city streets and major highways are not only useful for drivers but they are necessary for Pennsylvania residents to reach their destination safely and on time. Although several safety features and rules have been put in place to promote and increase safety on the roadways, drivers are still at risk because no matter how much they try to be a safe driver, they cannot always avoid a negligent driver. This ultimately could lead to a fatal car crash.
A tragic accident recently took place in northwestern Pennsylvania and resulted in the death of six people. According to preliminary reports, the accident involved two vehicles, a SUV and a sedan and took place on U.S. Route 219. While traveling on the roadway, the SUV allegedly crossed the centerline and collided with the sedan.
Emergency crews responded to the crash and they assessed everyone involved. The four adults traveling in the sedan all died as a result of the collision. The 37-year-old female driving the SUV and her 10-year-old son were seriously injured, and the woman’s 12-year-old daughter and 6-year-old nephew were killed in the accident.
The accident took place during Labor Day weekend, and just recently, police officer concluded that the woman had clonazepam in her blood, which was several times greater than the dosage that she prescribed. This resulted in the woman being changed for six counts of homicide by vehicle. In addition to facing criminal penalties, the woman could face civil liabilities. The loved ones of the deceased could file a wrongful death claim against the driver. This could result in compensation to recover costs for medical bills, funeral costs, lost of companionship and damages.
Losing a loved on in a tragic and fatal accident can be a difficult event to move pass. The healing process could be prolonged if the accident also caused bills to pile up. Filing for compensation could alleviate these expenses and could reduce the emotional and financial hardships caused by the fatal crash.
Source: ABC News, “Pa. Woman Jailed in Crash That Killed 6 People,” Oct. 31, 2013