Passengers – occupants of the vehicle other than the driver – are at the mercy of their driver as well as every single other driver on the road. Unlike a driver, a passenger may have little or no time to brace or prepare for an impact. In some cases, a passenger may even be asleep when a collision occurs. Passengers in older vehicles may not have adequate airbag protection in a head-on collision; driver and passenger airbags for frontal impact protection were not required by the federal government until 1999.

Passengers, unfortunately are frequent victims of fatal car accidents, especially when vehicles are travelling at high speeds, such as in highway head-on collisions and T-bone intersection accidents where a driver runs a red light. DUI accident passenger deaths can occur in a solo vehicle accident where a passenger is killed while riding in a vehicle with an intoxicated or impaired driver, or when a passenger is killed in a multi-vehicle collision caused by the driver of another vehicle. Regardless, the family of the passenger victim may pursue compensation in a DUI accident wrongful death claim when a passenger is killed due to a drunk driver.

Drunk Designated Drivers

When groups of people go out to have a good time at a social engagement such as a party or a football game, they often choose a “designated driver” or DD. The DD is selected (or volunteers) to abstain or refrain from alcohol, so that everyone in the group may a have a sober driver to safely transport them home. A problem lies when designated drivers make the choice to limit alcohol consumption by consuming alcohol early on in the party, only drinking beer, or choosing some other questionable method of drinking but not drinking too much. Some DD’s decide that as long as they are not completely drunk, they are sober enough to driver everyone in their group home. The Ad Council recently launched a campaign “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” to remind drivers that one drink too many can be disastrous. Be smart. Don’t drive while buzzed.

When DUI Accidents Kill Passengers

There is nothing more devastating than losing a loved one suddenly and unexpectedly in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Families experience a range of emotions from sadness and grief to anger and frustration. Another unfortunate consequence of losing a family member is the tremendous financial burden of a loved one’s death. Families may not be able to pay final medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and may suffer due to the loss of earnings and other benefits, such as health insurance. When a loved one dies as a passenger in a DUI accident, families may pursue compensation from the drunk driver in a civil wrongful death claim. Although a wrongful death claim cannot bring back a life lost, it can ease some of the financial burden’s of a loved one’s death by compensating their family for all costs associated with their family member’s passing, future anticipated lifetime earnings and benefits, as well as damages for loss of love, care, companionship and protection. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the drunk driver for their actions.

At Estey Bomberger, our California DUI accident victim lawyers believe drunk drivers must be held accountable for the choices they make and the lives and families they destroy. We have represented dozens of families in wrongful death claims arising from accidents caused by drunk drivers. If a loved one was a passenger killed in a DUI accident, contact us today for a free and confidential evaluation of your potential case with an attorney. We will listen to your story and advise you of your legal rights and options to pursue compensation for your loss in a wrongful death claim. If we are able to represent you and your family, we will not charge any fees unless we recover money for you. Contact us today by filling our consultation request form, or call us anytime at (800)784-9180.