A 37-year-old woman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after her vehicle collided with a motorcyclist, killing the 56-year-old motorcycle rider. The 37-year-old was intoxicated at the time of the wreck, allegedly having a blood alcohol level that was twice the legal limit. What complicates this accident a bit is that the motorcyclist also had a blood alcohol level that was twice the legal limit.
It goes without saying that drinking and driving is something that no one should ever do, and while the motorcyclist is clearly the victim here, he also shouldn’t have been out on the road driving. Still, despite this clash of ideas, he is certainly the victim of a terrible accident that we’re sure the 37-year-old woman greatly regrets. It was concluded that the woman failed to yield to the motorcyclist when the unfortunate wreck occurred.
What happens from here will certainly be interesting. The woman will face criminal charges, but will the family and loved ones of the 56-year-old file a civil lawsuit on behalf of the victim? Could the man’s intoxication complicate the matter?
The big thing to learn from this story is that drunk driving accidents can yield criminal and civil legal action. The drunk driver will almost certainly face criminal charges, barring unforeseen (and extreme) circumstances. And they will likely be sued in civil court by the victims of the accident or their loved ones. For those who are considering such legal action against a drunk driver, you need to consult an experienced personal injury attorney to make sure your case is properly handled.
Source: Kansas City Star, “Charges filed in fatal motorcycle wreck in Kansas City,” Jan. 29, 2015