A Connecticut man pleaded no contest last week to second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle for his role in the death of a motorcyclist. According to the Hartford Courant, the man drove a Toyota Rav-4 the wrong way on an I-84 off-ramp while intoxicated and struck a 29-year-old man on a motorcycle who was properly exiting the interstate in Hartford.
The victim was thrown from his bike and off an elevated platform. He fell 61 feet onto a parking lot. The man was conscious when paramedics arrived but was later pronounced dead at St. Francis Hospital. The driver of the Rav-4 will face anywhere from 3.5 to 8 years in prison for causing the motorcycle accident.
Though this fatal motorcycle crash occurred more than four years ago, it took authorities until last week to finalize the criminal case. And, according to the report, the civil case between the victim's estate and the driver is still pending.
In cases like this, the family of the deceased can pursue a civil liability claim against the driver of the Rav-4. Accordingly, they are entitled to seek monetary damages caused by the accident. In most cases, these damages are for lost wages, doctor's and hospital biils and pain and suffering.
In addition, should the family file a claim for wrongful death, they may seek the present value of the individual's prospective earnings for his entire career. By working with professionals families may be able to place a value on such cases and work to help families receive appropriate compensation.
Source: Hartford Courant, "Essex Man Faces Prison In Crash That Killed Motorcyclist," David Owens, April 1, 2014
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