Whittier, California Suspected Drunk Driving Crash Takes a Life

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes every day — that’s one person every 50 minutes.

At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, our Whittier personal injury Lawyers understand the confusion that accompanies a loved one’s death in a drunk driving car accident. Are you entitled to damages as a result of losing your loved one? What type of evidence must we provide that your loved one’s loss was a wrongful death?

While the criminal courts are charged with handling the prosecution of drunk driving cases, including those that result in death, civil court attorneys must show that the defendant was negligent by driving recklessly or carelessly to hold that person and their insurance company accountable for wrongful death damages.

When is a California Car Accident Fatality Considered Wrongful Death?

In California, wrongful death arises when one person dies as the result of a negligent or wrongful act of another person or entity. Driving drunk generally satisfies that element.

In November 2019, a man suspected of DUI crashed his vehicle into a tree in Whittier, California, killing a 23-year-old woman who was riding as a passenger.

The Whittier Police Department stated the crash was a single-car accident that was caused by the driver who was suspected of intoxicated driving.

Paramedics took both victims to the hospital following the crash, where the passenger was pronounced dead within 90 minutes of her arrival.

Liability on the part of the driver seemed apparent, leading to him being legally charged with DUI in connection with the fatal crash.

Can Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP Hold a Drunk Driver Responsible for Wrongful Death?

Sadly, alcohol-impaired driving killed over 10,500 people last year, accounting for 29% of all traffic-related deaths.

Drunk driving accidents that injure or kill passengers, other drivers and their vehicle occupants provide our law firm with the opportunity to interview important witnesses, analyze the crash scene and any surveillance video, and request driving and arrest records from the liable party that can help build our case.

Our wrongful death attorneys can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult legal process by protecting their rights while ensuring that a driver who illegally and recklessly drove the vehicle which caused the accident is held accountable.

If you have lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident or other negligent driving collision, contact our Whittier wrongful death lawyers at Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP today at (562) 698-6446 to discuss the crash and learn whether you are entitled to financial recovery for the damages you have suffered.