A child in New Hampshire was recently traveling with her father when their trip suddenly took a tragic turn. A motor vehicle accident resulted in her father’s death. Crash investigators reconstructed the events leading up to the collision and determined that driver fatigue was most likely the primary cause.
A vehicle out of control
At approximately 10:30 p.m. the 39-year-old man and his daughter were headed east on Route 101 when a car breeched the centerline of traffic and hit them. A 21-year-old man was driving the car that veered out of control and crashed into the SUV driven by the father who was killed in the accident. Thankfully, the girl did not suffer serious injuries in the crash, although one can imagine the severe emotional trauma involved when a child witnesses a parent’s death.
Police say one of the drivers showed signs of fatigue
Investigators were able to reconstruct the collision, leading them to conclude that fatigue was no doubt a significant factor that caused the driver of the car to lose control of his vehicle. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. There have been many fatal collisions in this state and others that were caused by drivers nodding off at the wheel.
New Hampshire law allows family members to seek restitution
If a person loses a loved one in a New Hampshire motor vehicle collision, he or she may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim. Such claims are often filed when a driver’s negligence or reckless behavior is believed to have been a direct cause of a fatality. The plaintiff in a wrongful death claim must provide evidence to the court that proves a defendant was negligent and that his or her negligence was the proximate cause of the accident and death or injuries that resulted.
