A recent Clark County crash resulted in numerous injuries, as well as the tragic death of a young man. The young man’s relatives may be eligible to file a claim for damages based on their loss. Read on to learn about the crash and the right to compensation after a drunk driving car accident, and contact an experienced Nevada personal injury lawyer with additional questions.
On Friday, June 1, 2018, a 19-year-old woman was driving a 2003 Chevy Silverado truck, which carried four passengers in addition to herself, all of whom were between the ages of 16 and 17. She was traveling south on Sky Pointe Drive near U.S. 95 in Las Vegas’ northwest valley. The woman swerved off the paved road after traveling through the intersection with Kyle Canyon Road. When she steered back onto the road, the truck rolled over. Four of the five occupants of the truck were thrown out of the truck, and all were taken to Mountain View Hospital. It was at the hospital where a 16-year-old male was declared dead. The other three passengers had serious injuries, and the driver had major injuries. She has been charged with driving under the influence involving death.
Nevada law allows for victims of an accident caused by a drunk driver to file a civil lawsuit against the intoxicated driver. Often, when a drunk driver causes bodily injury or death, they’ll be facing stiff penalties before a criminal court, as well. Criminal charges against the at-fault driver do not prevent a victim from suing that driver in civil court, though they could cause a delay to the civil case while the criminal case is pending. However, a criminal verdict against the drunk driver could serve as valuable support in a claim for damages.
Nevada law also provides drunk driving victims with the right to seek punitive damages from the at-fault driver. Punitive damages are a form of compensation awarded in a personal injury lawsuit that are intended to go beyond merely paying a victim back for what they lost, but also to punish the individual who caused the injuries for their morally-reprehensible behavior. A Nevada personal injury lawyer can help you determine what types of damages you’re entitled to receive and how best to seek those damages after a Henderson drunk driving accident.
If you need help getting compensation after a Nevada car accident, contact a seasoned and effective Henderson personal injury lawyer at the David Boehrer Law Firm for a no-cost consultation at 702-750-0750.