A 28-year-old man from Cape Coral was killed in Johnson County around 2 p.m. on July 27 after he parked his maroon, four-door Chevrolet on the right shoulder of Interstate 95 and stepped out of the vehicle. A vehicle driven by a 77-year-old Virginia man ran off the road and crashed into the decedent and his car, which was occupied by his fiancée and two children.
The woman and children, a four-year-old and an 18-month-old, were transported to Wake Med for treatment of injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. Neither he nor the passenger in his car suffered any injuries. The elderly driver was charged with failure to maintain lane control and misdemeanor death by vehicle. As of July 27, he was out of custody on bond.
The sudden loss of a loved one can be a severe hardship for surviving family members, especially if they depended on that person’s income. The law allows the family to seek compensation for economic losses via wrongful death suits. Attorneys experienced with that type of litigation could help individuals evaluate the strength of a potential lawsuit against the parties they believe to be culpable for their loved ones’ deaths.
Plaintiffs of successful wrongful death suits may be compensated for medical expenses incurred by victims prior to their deaths, funeral expenses and the loss of decedents’ future contributions to their financial well-being. Some states allow plaintiffs of wrongful death suits to seek damages for pain and suffering of the decedent. Additionally, certain jurisdictions allow for punitive damages for causing someone’s death through malice or willful conduct.
Source: ABC 11, “1 Man Killed on I-95 in Johnston County“, July 27, 2014