After Pleading Guilty, Drunk Driver Faces Multiple Lawsuits

January 15, 2013

After Pleading Guilty, Drunk Driver Faces Multiple Lawsuits

Family members of those killed by drunk drivers might find that seeing the driver sent to prison relieves their suffering. Due to the magnitude of the loss, though, justice might not provide a huge consolation. Still, victims' families can take some comfort in knowing they have the legal option of seeking financial compensation for the loss of their loved one.

Drunk Driver Pleads Guilty

For example, take the case of a Pennsylvania man who pled guilty to killing three people as a result of driving drunk. According to The Express-Times, the three victims were traveling through a green light when the defendant's truck ran a red light and T-boned them; all three died at the scene. Police said the man's blood alcohol content was 0.23 percent, nearly three times the legal limit in Pennsylvania.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The man was sentenced to 7.5 to 18 years in prison. He was also named in wrongful death lawsuits filed by two victims' families. Others named as defendants include:
-The organizers of a bus trip the drunk driver went on
-The management company that served him alcohol at a hockey game
-The estate of the third victim
-The owners of a business at the corner where the crash occurred
-An individual who allegedly left the drunk driver without a ride
-Several bars

The wrongful death suits claim that the bars served the man beer and shots of liquor although he was clearly drunk. The plaintiffs also argue that the bars and the bus trip organizers failed to provide the necessary security or properly train employees to prevent alcohol abuse by patrons.

To succeed in a wrongful death action, the plaintiffs must prove the following:
-The victim died
-The defendant's negligent or intentionally harmful actions caused the victim's death
-The victim's surviving family members suffered monetary injury as a result
-A personal representative was appointed for the victim's estate

Those who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers or in other tragic accidents should contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can seek to obtain compensation from those who can be held liable.

Article provided by May, Metzger & Zimmerman, LLP
Visit us at http://www.mmzlaw.com/