Unfortunately, fatalities are a common result of many serious car accidents. When this happens, it is important to contact a lawyer shortly afterward and decide on a course of action. They can explain the process of a civil lawsuit, as well as what to expect during this time.
A man from Marietta, Georgia was killed during a car collision on Johnson Ferry Road in Cobb County.
Elderly man is killed by a teen driver
A preliminary investigation revealed that the car accident happened on a Friday night at around 11pm near the Powers Road intersection. A 2011 Mercedes Benz vehicle was making a left turn from Johnson Ferry Road northbound onto Powers Road. During this turn, a 2010 Mercedes vehicle that was going southbound collided with the other car.
The driver who was making the left turn was a 61 year old male from Marietta. He was ejected from the vehicle upon impact and pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterward. The teenage driver of the other car was taken to Kennestone Hospital to be treated for injuries that did not seem to be serious.
After a brief initial investigation, the police did not comment on which vehicle was at fault or if criminal charges would be necessary. Cobb County’s special Selective Traffic Enforcement Program was given the responsibility of conducting a full investigation and trying to gather more information. They also asked for witnesses to come forward and provide information to the local police.
Fatal traffic accidents
When a driver causes the death of someone else, the civil law does allow the victim’s family to collect money related to their losses through the state’s wrongful death statute. This is a special law that says certain relatives can file a case on behalf of their deceased family member to get payment for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, the value of the person’s lost wages and services, and emotional pain and suffering. Lawyers who focus their practice on personal injury and accident cases also often handle wrongful death cases as well. They can file the case regardless of whether the person responsible is ever charged criminally for the death or not.
The process of civil lawsuits
After an attorney gains some basic information from their client, they will file an initial pleading on their behalf in the local civil courts. This contains info about the crash and the amount of damages that the plaintiff is seeking. Lawyers for both the plaintiff and defendant will exchange documents through the discovery process, then decide on either a settlement agreement or full trial with witnesses and evidence.
Talk with a licensed attorney in Georgia
To learn more about the possibility of a lawsuit against another driver in the Marietta area, contact Imbriale Injury Law. They can provide advice and guidance related to the value of a case and the odds of success.