When acts of negligence or recklessness rob families of their loved ones, it is important to know what options are available for pursuing justice. Take for example the recent case of a 38-year-old cyclist who was killed by a drunk driver while riding on Lookout Mountain. The Colorado father of two left behind a wife and 7-year-old son, and was also the primary provider for the family. The person allegedly responsible for the accident was a 20-year-old drunk driver who had an open container in his car. Investigators claim the vehicle climbed over the yellow lane divider and struck the cyclist.
Wrongful death lawsuits, like personal injury lawsuits, have two types of damages that can be awarded to grieving family members. Economic damages award families based on lost income, medical bills, funeral costs and other tangible expenses.
Noneconomic damages refer to intangible losses, like the pain and suffering the negligent or reckless act has caused. In the case of the deceased cyclist, a son is without his father and a wife without her husband. The pain of loss and having families ripped apart can cause immense emotional distress.
Should I File A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Although nothing can bring back the person or people lost, wrongful death lawsuits can play a role in helping hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. It helps to think of a wrongful death lawsuit as pursuing justice against someone who has harmed you and your family, but also providing the financial means to continue onwards with life.
Losing a loved one is also an expensive tragedy, often leaving families with hefty medical and funeral bills. As we have seen in the example of the 38-year-old cyclist, he was the main breadwinner for the family. Lost income is taken into account when grieving families file wrongful death suits.
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