A man in Arizona was recently killed in a car crash that police said an impaired driver caused. The allegedly impaired driver now faces criminal charges. However, in addition to facing criminal charges, people who reportedly cause these types of car accidents may find themselves facing trouble in civil court as well.
The recent accident occurred at a little past 2 a.m. on a Sunday. Police said that a pickup truck driver was going quickly in a construction zone. All of a sudden, the driver collided with a Caterpillar excavator that was parked.
The passenger in the pickup truck ended up passing away in the collision. However, the driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. Authorities discovered that his blood alcohol level was 0.156, nearly double the legal limit for driving. The man also reportedly had marijuana in his system. The man was arrested and now faces a second-degree murder charge.
The surviving loved ones of the passenger who died in the Arizona car accident have the right to file a wrongful death claim against the driver, seeking the reimbursement of damages. If the driver ends up being convicted on his murder charge, proof of this charge may be offered in civil court with the goal of establishing liability. Only if liability is established will the court determine claims for monetary damages. If the loved ones of the deceased passenger are successful in their claim, they may receive monetary compensation that might help with covering burial costs and other losses associated with these types of car accidents.
