In a matter of seconds, your life could change in unimaginable ways on the road. Just a split second of negligence or recklessness on the road could result in an accident that could leave you, your passengers, and other innocent bystanders on the road crippled, or even dead. This comes to mind when considering today’s tragic story. A man driving a 2008 Mercedes eastbound on the 118 freeway near Chatsworth crashed into a guardrail near the DeSoto Avenue off-ramp, then plowed through a chain-link fence before the car landed upside-down. Both the driver and a female passenger in the car died at the scene. According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Highway Patrol reported that the driver of the vehicle made an “unsafe turning movement” right before crashing into the guardrail. The CHP also reported that it was windy at the time of the crash. The crash is still under investigation.
While we do not yet know the full details surrounding the cause of this tragic accident, if it is found that the driver of the vehicle caused the accident by driving in a negligent or reckless way, it is very likely that we will see the family of the female passenger suing the driver’s estate for damages associated with the crash. For example, the family may sue for pain and suffering, funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of anticipated financial support or household services, and perhaps loss of consortium (if the person suing is the passenger’s spouse). Of course, unfortunately, no money damages will ever be able to reverse the loss of life.
- Information about the next steps after a car accident in our Santa Ana car accident lawyer page.