The woman was headed north on Neal when the collision took place. She was charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol, improper turn and reckless driving.
As evidenced by this incident, alcohol sometimes plays a role in fatal accidents. Other factors in fatal accidents might include distracted driving, from the use of a cellphone for talking or texting, reckless driving and road and weather conditions. While some of these factors are out of a driver’s control, some, such as speeding and using a cellphone, can be used to show that a driver involved in an accident was acting negligently in a subsequent wrongful death suit filed against that person.
After fatal accidents, the victims’ surviving family members might choose to file wrongful death claims to recover damages for the passing of those decedents. In Georgia, damages awarded from this type of lawsuit may be tied to both noneconomic and financial harms. Awards are calculated to represent the total value of a decedent’s life and can be tied to the loss of companionship, comfort and love suffered by family members as well as the loss of a victim’s income. Additionally, compensation can stem from medical expenses, funeral and burial costs and the pain and suffering of a victim prior to death.
Source: CBS46.com, “Homicide by vehicle charges filed in Atlanta crash“, Jennifer Emert, September 01, 2014
