Motorists in Georgia are required to abide by strict road safety laws, and violating any of them may lead to legal action. It is not uncommon for accidents that result from a disregard of traffic regulations to result in severe injuries or even fatalities. A man from Valdosta is facing several criminal charges after allegedly committing reckless acts while driving.
While southbound on a Valdosta street on a Thursday afternoon in September, a driver of a sedan crossed the double yellow lines to overtake another vehicle that was traveling in the same direction. He then allegedly ignored a red traffic light and smashed into an eastbound car in the intersection. The accident caused severe injuries to the other driver, and both drivers were transported to the hospital.
The 76-year-old driver of the other vehicle subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at the hospital. After reconstruction of the accident scene by the police, warrants for arrest were issued. The alleged reckless driver was recently arrested, and he is now facing charges. They include vehicular homicide, reckless driving and improper passing. In addition, he faces charges for disregarding a traffic light and failure to wear a safety belt.
The family of the man who lost his life in this accident that was apparently caused by the alleged reckless acts of another driver will likely be facing the financial consequences of his unexpected death. They may pursue recovery of damages by filing a wrongful death claim in a Georgia civil court. With properly documented proof of negligence, the surviving family members may be able to secure a monetary judgment to cover end-of-life expenses, along with other damages as deemed appropriate by state laws.
Source: wtxl.com, “Valdosta Man Arrested For Homicide By Vehicle“, Jade Bulecza, Oct. 8, 2014
