A wreck on Interstate 40 East in Raleigh resulted in one fatality and two injuries on May 29. Authorities reported that an 18-year-old woman driving a sedan left the road around 4:45 p.m. and hit a tree. An investigation is in progress, but police did charge the driver with provisional DWI. A blood test may be underway, which could lead to an upgraded charges since there was a fatality and injury involved.
The 20-year-old man in the passenger seat was declared dead at the scene. The driver and an 18-year-old man who was in the back seat were transported to WakeMed after suffering serious injuries, but both of their conditions have improved since the accident; the driver was in fair condition the following day, and the passenger was in good condition.
When car accidents occur because of a negligent act by a single individual, injured parties might consider seeking compensation through personal injury claims. If the accident led to a fatality, the family of the deceased could also consider filing a wrongful death claim. Such lawsuits could allow the recovery of insurance costs, medical expenses and lost income, and the latter type of lawsuit might also allow for the recovery of funeral and burial expenses.
In the event of an auto accident, authorities need only be called if there is property damage totaling more than $1,000, injuries or death. However, those involved in the accident could call the police without these circumstances in order to obtain an official accident record. Many of those who are involved in accidents choose to seek medical attention even if they feel no pain since some injuries are not immediately apparent; a medical record can aid in the pursuit of compensation from an at-fault driver.
Source: WRAL , “Driver charged with DWI in fatal wreck, more charges to come“, Stephanie Coueignoux and Tina Terry, May 26, 2014