Drinking and driving are a potentially deadly combination, as alcohol impacts a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle properly. It is for this reason that driving while intoxicated often leads to serious injury or death to those who are involved in an accident caused by this illegal act. Even if criminal charges are filed against a drunk driving suspect, this may not be enough for family members who are reeling with grief after losing a loved one in an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident in Tennessee. Monetary damages may help to further ease their pain and suffering.
A man in Tennessee recently was formally accused of drinking and driving. The indictment comes after the 35-year-old man was charged with vehicular homicide involving recklessness as well as driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said that the 35-year-old was going the wrong way on the road when he ran into a car driven by a 37-year-old man.
The fiery collision occurred on the interstate, police said. The deceased victim left behind a daughter. The accused drunk driver is out of jail on a bond of $40,000, according to authorities.
When one person’s decision to drink and drive leads to another person’s death, the family of the dead individual reserves the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who is deemed to have caused the fatal motor vehicle accident. Family members may seek financial damages, which can help to cover end-of-life expenses as well as ease emotional distress. If a criminal conviction is secured in Tennessee, proof of the criminal court’s judgment regarding the drunk driving charge and related criminal findings might be helpful in proving his financial liability in a wrongful death lawsuit.