In an Interstate 35 car accident in Kansas, a driver going in the wrong direction crashed into a taxi. The driver of the taxi, a 67-year-old man, suffered severe injuries and later died.
Police believe that the driver of the vehicle, a woman in her late thirties, may have been intoxicated.
This tragedy shows that it is too easy for one driver’s actions to cut short the life of another. No matter the outcome of this particular case, Missouri residents should be aware of their rights surrounding wrongful death.
Missouri Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one to another person’s negligence is enormously difficult to deal with. In some cases, particularly motor vehicle accidents, the loved ones of the person who died may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Wrongful death essentially means that one person’s wrongful actions caused another person’s injuries and death. In Missouri, the people who can file a wrongful death lawsuit include spouses, parents and children.
Remedies for Loved Ones
Wrongful death lawsuits are filed in civil court. This means that the party filing the lawsuit must seek monetary damages. An award or settlement may offer compensation for:
- Medical expenses of the deceased
- Victim’s pain and suffering before death
- Funeral expenses
- Lost future earnings or value of household services
- Loss of companionship and support
It may seem strange to translate the value of a loved one into money when filing a lawsuit, but that is the remedy civil courts provide. Of course, the government could file criminal charges against a negligent party who caused another person’s death. The Missouri civil wrongful death case is an additional way to hold the negligent party responsible.
Source: Taxi driver dies in wrong-way crash
The legal team at Dempsey Kingsland Osteen works to ensure that the injured are fully compensated for their lasting injuries from medical malpractice or other negligence. We push for comprehensive damages that anticipate the long-term needs of our clients, rather than taking a quick settlement out of convenience.
Loading...