No parent wants to get the call that his or her teen has been involved in a car accident. Sadly, it happens all too often in the state of Louisiana. A recent crash claimed the life of an 18-year-old male. Under the right circumstances, this young man’s surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim in civil court.
In mid-July, police were called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash that occurred in the Lake Charles area. When they arrived, they found a teenager outside of the vehicle on the ground. He had suffered what were described as moderate injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Sadly, he ultimately succumbed to those injuries.
According to reports, the victim was riding in the bed of a pickup truck when the driver ran off of the road, causing the car to roll and throwing the victim from the vehicle. No information has been released about the identity of the driver, as he is a minor. This individual has been charged with driving without a license and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. Authorities are still in the process of investigating this event. It is unclear if any further charges are pending in this case.
When a fatal accident occurs, the victim’s family will want to understand why it happened and want to know whom they can hold responsible. Losing a loved one unexpectedly comes with financial and emotional burdens that can be difficult to overcome. In this case, the young driver, along with the owner of the vehicle, may be held accountable for the loss of life — meaning they may have to cover the losses suffered by the victim’s family. In order to seek relief, a wrongful death claim will need to be filed in a Louisiana civil court. Such cases are often settled before they go to trial, but legal counsel will be ready to fight for damages before a judge if the situation calls for it.