Fatal car accidents claim hundreds of Connecticut lives each year

April 04, 2013 (Press-News.org) For most people in Connecticut, driving is a fact of life. We all rely on cars to get to work or school, to run errands, or to otherwise get where we need to go. Unfortunately, heading out on the roads comes with some risk.

Take, for example, a recent Norwich car accident that killed three people and seriously injured two others. Authorities believe that the five occupants in the vehicle were coming home from work when the driver fell asleep, lost control of his car and crashed into a tree.

The accident occurred just before 8:30 in the morning. When first responders arrived at the scene of the crash, none of the accident victims were conscious. One was pronounced dead at the scene, and two others died after being taken to the hospital. The driver and a passenger survived, but were seriously injured.

Sadly, accidents like this are far from rare occurrences. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 220 people died in Connecticut motor vehicle accidents in 2011. The year before, a total of 320 people were killed.

Of course, every loss of life is a tragedy. However, these accidents are particularly troubling because so many of them could have been prevented if the at-fault driver had made better choices behind the wheel.

Drunk driving is one of the biggest threats to traffic safety in Connecticut. According to the NHTSA's report, drunk driving was responsible for approximately 42 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2011. Speeding was the second biggest killer, playing a role in about 33 percent of traffic deaths in 2011. Drowsy driving and distracted driving (including texting while driving or talking on a cellphone) are also major causes of fatal motor vehicle accidents.

Connecticut wrongful death lawsuits

All drivers need to do their part to prevent fatal accidents from occurring. This means never getting behind the wheel after drinking and refraining from picking up a cellphone while driving. It also means using good judgment and avoiding behaviors like speeding, distraction or aggressive driving.

Driving this way is much more than an issue of good manners -- Connecticut law imposes on every driver a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care for the safety of others on the road. Failing to uphold this duty can be considered negligence.

When a fatal car accident is caused by another person's negligence, the families of the deceased victims have a right to hold the at-fault driver accountable in a wrongful death lawsuit. While nothing can bring the victims back, wrongful death lawsuits can help families recover financial compensation for a number of losses they experienced as a result of their loved one's death, including medical and funeral expenses, loss of the loved one's future earnings, loss of the decedent's ability to enjoy life and the death itself.

It is important to recognize that Connecticut law limits the time a family has to bring a wrongful death claim. For that reason, it is advisable for families to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney soon after the accident. The attorney will be able to evaluate the circumstances of the crash to help the family figure out their best options for moving forward.

Article provided by The Pickel Law Firm, LLC
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