Many readers in Illinois know that a designated driver is a person who is expected to get those who have been drinking home safely. In fact, these individuals are thought to save lives because they limit the number of people drinking and driving on our roadways. In one recent car accident, however, a designated driver lost her life as she was attempting to get others home safely.
The car accident occurred on Illinois Route 3 in the early morning hours of a weekend day. In the car at the time of the fatal crash were three young women. The designated driver was killed and two others were also injured in the crash, including the driver of the other car involved.
According to early reports, the car driven by the designated driver attempted to make a U-turn at a stop sign. As she did, the driver pulled out in front of a vehicle driving in the other direction. The oncoming driver was unable to stop her vehicle in time and crashed into the designated driver’s car.
The driver of the car that hit the designated driver’s vehicle suffered injury in the car accident. If it is proven that the driver making a U-turn acted in a negligent manner, the driver of the car that struck the designated driver’s vehicle may find that she is able to make a civil claim in order to recover the costs she has incurred for medical care and lost wages. Illinois personal injury laws often allow accident victims the ability to make a claim against a driver or the estate of a driver if they perish in an accident. Such claims are often available when the actions of one person result in injury to others, as may have been the case here in this unfortunate incident.
Source: ksdk.com, “Crash kills Ballwin woman and injures three others in Sauget,” Jeanie Smith, Feb. 17, 2013