Wrongful death lawsuits may come about as a result of many things. Unfortunately, even goofing off may have deadly consequences.

Consider this case that Charlie Donahue heard about. A 19-year-old high school senior killed on Valentine’s Day 2008. His passenger and girlfriend was also severely injured; injuries that completely altered her life from the day of the impact. She remains in a wheelchair and is hoping to recover enough mobility to attend a university. Three other people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time were also victims of this tragic accident; an accident that should never have happened.

“The young man and his girlfriend were on their way to a Valentine’s party at a friend’s place that ill-fated evening. They were minding their own business and discussing the party, when out of the blue a 22-year-old man driving a smaller car, crossed the double yellow line, pulled next to the young man’s vehicle, and swerved in the direction of the driver’s door,” explained Charlie Donahue, a New Hampshire personal injury attorney.

This action caused the young man to boot his vehicle into high drive to get away from the second vehicle. Unfortunately, he lost control of his car, hit another vehicle and was ejected through the windshield. He was pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics.

“Aside from the criminal charges laid in this case (vehicular homicide and 5 counts of reckless conduct), the wrongful death lawsuit alleges that the driver who swerved into the young man’s vehicle was driving his auto in a careless and negligent manner. The criminal matter will proceed later this year. The civil lawsuit was tried first. Often, it is easier to prove a case in civil court because the burden of proof is different,” outlined Donahue.

Under circumstances like this particular hypothetical case or in other instances where someone has lost their life as the result of the negligence of another, they may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. “Don’t wait to speak to a highly skilled personal injury attorney, as the statute of limitations needs to be strictly observed in order to even be able to file a lawsuit. Nothing is more important to the family who lost a relative than being able to find ‘justice’ for the wrongful death of a family member,” added Donahue.

To learn more, visit Donahuelawfirm.com.