On Aug. 31, a teenager died as a result of a single-vehicle accident in Hickory, according to police. Reportedly, the teenager was a passenger in a Subaru Forester traveling south on 6th Street at approximately 7:45 p.m., when the vehicle jumped a curb, flipped multiple times and then came to a stop in a field adjacent to the road. Police suspect that the driver of the vehicle, 17 as well, was speeding and impaired at the time of the incident.
Reportedly, one of the two 17-year-old occupants of the Subaru was ejected from the vehicle during the accident, though it was not clear immediately following the event which occupant that was. In any case, the passenger suffered critical injuries and received emergency transport to Frye Regional Medical Center, where officials ultimately pronounced him dead.
Emergency personnel also transported the driver to the hospital, According to officials, he was treated and released. Police took him into custody on a host of charges, including driving while impaired and careless and reckless driving.
Regardless of the criminal charges filed in connection with this crash, the driver may be held responsible for the fatal incident in civil court as well. For, certain family members of people who die in traffic accidents caused by reckless or negligent driving may pursue civil action against the at-fault driver as a means for obtaining wrongful death compensation.
Losing a loved one in a sudden and unforeseen manner may force bereaved family members to deal with not just grief and emotional stress but also the financial toll associated with end-of-life expenses, including funeral costs and estate administration expenses. By successfully pursuing a wrongful death claim, bereaved family members may receive compensation for the pecuniary losses they suffered in connection with the fatal crash.
Source: WSOCtv.com, “Police: Teen killed, another charged in Hickory crash“, September 01, 2014