Accidents are often alarming and unexpected. However, many catastrophes occur from a person's carelessness or negligence. Unfortunately, the consequences of these mishaps can include life-altering injuries or death. Nothing can take away the emotional pain of losing a loved one. Nevertheless, if death of an innocent victim has resulted from the neglectful acts of another, this may be grounds for a wrongful death claim.

In a recent local story, a Colorado woman faces a lawsuit related to the wrongful death of a tow truck driver. According to reports, a tow truck driver was hauling an illegally parked SUV. In the process of removing the car, the owner of the vehicle jumped into the SUV and took off. Unfortunately, the truck driver's leg was caught in a cable that was attached to the car. The man was pulled by the car for more than one mile before his legs separated from his body.

The victim died in this gruesome accident. As a result, the woman faces serious charges including manslaughter, vehicular homicide, reckless driving and failure to obey a traffic control device. The family of the suspect claims that the motorist did not know she was dragging the man.

Nevertheless, the victim's wife has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the woman. These lawsuits are usually brought on behalf of the deceased by his surviving spouse, child or parent. The widow argues that the motorist was negligent and careless. If the wife is correct, she could potentially recover monetary damages for loss of support, medical expenses or lost benefits.

Undoubtedly, the family of the victim is probably confused as to how this accident resulted. When unexpected misfortune occurs, we tend to ask questions. What steps could have been taken to prevent the disaster? What went wrong? Hopefully, within the process of the wrongful death suit, the victim's family will find some answers in their quest for the truth.

Source: TheDenverChannel.com, "Jury selection under way in dragging death of tow truck driver," Deb Stanley, Jan. 31, 2012