Two men were killed in a wrong-way collision on a Nashville highway recently, and the authorities are still trying to find out why. No doubt, the families of the victims are asking some of the same questions.
Police said a 37-year-old man was driving a Dodge Charger eastward in the westbound lanes of Interstate-40 near the Fesslers Lane overpass when he struck a GMC Jimmy driven by a 66-year-old man. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other vehicles were hit by the Charger, but their occupants were not injured, police said. Police stated that they had no evidence that alcohol or drugs were involved, but were waiting for the results of toxicology tests.
When a person is killed in a car accident due to another driver's negligence, the family of the victim may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit is filed on behalf of the victim's estate against the negligent party. In a case in which the negligent party also died in the accident, it may be possible to file suit against the negligent party's estate. Any award goes to the estate, to be distributed to the victim's heirs through a will or the laws of inheritance.
Wrongful death lawsuits can be emotionally difficult and sometimes technically demanding. However, they can help families to deal with the financial losses that come with an untimely death and bring some sense of justice to what might otherwise appear to be a senseless tragedy. Tennessee families who have lost a loved one to a negligent driver should make sure they understand their legal options.
Source: News Channel 5, "Two Killed In Wrong-Way Crash On I-45," July 27, 2013