WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM MAY FOLLOW ROLLOVER THAT KILLED 1

Adverse weather in British Columbia makes travelling conditions hazardous, requiring drivers to be particularly skillful if they want to travel on wet, slushy roads. This applies especially to areas with high elevations such as the Coquihalla. A fatal crash near Kamloops in which a passenger was killed could result in a wrongful death claim.

According to a Royal Canadian Mounted Police report, the accident occurred shortly after a localized storm that left the roadway covered with hail and extremely hazardous. They say a vehicle that was northbound on the highway carried three occupants. The car apparently rolled over after the driver failed to maintain control of it.

Emergency workers transported the driver and a passenger who was in the back seat to a medical facility in Kamloops for the treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. However, a 61-year-old man who was a front seat passenger lost his life in the crash. His death was declared at the scene of the accident. Whenever a passenger is injured or killed in an accident, the victim or surviving family members might have grounds to pursue recovery of damages. Any driver his or her vehicle in accordance with the prevailing weather and road conditions.

For a wrongful death claim to be successful, negligence on the part of the driver must be established. This can be challenging without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. A British Columbia attorney can also assist with determining the value of the claim, including financial losses related to end-of-life expenses along with emotional damages such as the loss of companionship and more.

Source: CBC News — British Columbia, “Coquihalla crash kills 1 man, RCMP asks drivers to heed conditions“, May 15, 2017