There are simply too many car accidents on our road. A 71-year old New Jersey woman was involved in a minor car accident. Just minutes later, after her husband picked her up to drive her home, their vehicle was struck head-on by a van and the woman died a short time later in the hospital.

The individual responsible for the fatal accident had attempted to flee authorities on foot. After being captured, this individual now has been charged with causing a death by motor vehicle, of reckless driving and driving while under the influence.

Close to half of the fatalities on our roads nationwide occur because of drivers getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Often those individuals responsible were repeat offenders and have already had their license revoked. They maybe are even driving a vehicle that belongs to some other individual. The individual at fault may not have any liability insurance whatsoever as they were not supposed to even have been driving on the roads.

Individuals dependent upon the victim of such an accident for their support may now be looking at funeral expenses, medical bills, loss of current and future income, and a loss for other services as well. Under the circumstances, friends and family members may not be aware of what legal options that they have in order to be compensated for their losses. They will likely require the assistance of an attorney experienced in trying fatal accident cases that will have the knowledge and resources to help such individuals recover.

Source: NBC 10 Philadelphia, “Woman Killed in Head-on Crash After Surviving Minor Accident,” by Marie Krips, Dec. 18, 2011