Hearts break and life seems to lose its meaning when a close family member dies. The pain and suffering is especially unbearable if the death is accidental. Earlier this month, a 16-year-old high school student died in a car accident in Arizona. The student, whose parents had migrated to Arizona from Japan, died along with three other family members. The fatal accident occurred when the van in which the family was traveling was hit by a truck. The truck was being chased by police.
The vehicle, while trying to escape police, crossed the center line and hit the family’s van head-on. The family was going on vacation to the Grand Canyon during spring break when the tragedy descended upon them. Though three members, including the parents of the boy, died on the spot, his nine-year old sister is in critical condition. The fatal car crash has left many Arizonians shocked, realizing the dangers of reckless drivers.
The damage in this kind of a fatal accident is hard to measure. After all, how can one put a price tag on the life of a loved one? Such a crash not only cuts lives short, but it may also leave surviving family members with unexpected and undeserved debt, such as medical expenses and funeral costs. Additionally, a loved one’s lost wages can leave a family in a tough financial situation
It is possible, however, for a surviving family to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Though such a lawsuit can never remove the pain caused by the loss of a loved, it may give financial aid to the surviving family members, allowing them to move on with the grieving process without financial worries related to the accident. It may be best for a family in such a situation to seek the help of an Arizona wrongful death attorney.
Source: NBC Chicago, “Suburban Teen, Parents Killed in Car Crash,” April 1, 2014