Drunk Driver is Possible Cause of MN Car Accident Death, Police Say
The investigation of a July 4 MN car accident has revealed new details, police say. The accident, which left one young man dead and two injured, occurred on Hwy 63 several miles south of Zumbro Falls, MN at about 7 p.m. The car, in which the three young men were traveling, left the road and rolled over. Alcohol use was detected by both men who survived the accident, but both say they weren’t driving. Police have yet to determine who the driver was and say they do believe alcohol was a factor in the accident.
Drunk Driver Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Pritzker Olsen law firm has represented the families of people killed in one-car drunk driving accidents. Recently, we filed a lawsuit on behalf of a family of a woman killed in a one-vehicle accident in Brainerd, MN. The accident was caused by her intoxicated husband, and both were killed. Our wrongful death lawyers interviewed witnesses and examined the physical evidence at the scene of the crash in order to effectively argue the case.
The families of those killed by a drunk driver may be able to file a wrongful death drunk driver lawsuit. They can potentially be compensated for things like:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Loss of potential earnings
- Loss of advice, comfort, assistance, protection, counsel and society
- Punitive damages
Another type of drunk driver lawsuit claim is what’s known as a dram shop claim. This is a lawsuit against the establishment (bar, restaurant, etc) that served the drunk driver. Minnesota car accident laws state clearly that it is against the law for establishments that serve alcohol (dram shops) to sell or give alcoholic beverages to an obviously intoxicated person. If the establishment does serve that person, then the establishment can be held liable for injuries or deaths that may arise from that person driving intoxicated on the roads.
The restaurant or bar responsible for over-serving the drunk driver would then have to compensate those injured by the drunk driver or the family members of anyone killed by the drunk driver.
Contact Pritzker Olsen attorneys for a free drunk driver wrongful death lawsuit consultation.
Information from:
http://www.startribune.com/local/125015184.html
Drunk Driver May Be Suspected Cause of MN Car Accident Deaths
A Maple Grove, Minnesota car accident has left two people dead, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The accident occurred around 1 a.m. on County Road 81 in Maple Grove on Sunday morning when a man suspected of driving impaired drove through a red light.
According to the police report, a man from Albertville, Minnesota was stopped by a Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputy who suspected he was driving impaired. But the driver fled when he was stopped and continued speeding along County Rd 81. Witnesses say the vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of County Road 81 and 93rd Avenue N and hit another car. The driver of that vehicle was a 29-year-old Buffalo, MN woman who then died. The suspected drunk driver died also.
Drunk Driving Wrongful Death Lawsuit Information
The family of someone killed by a drunk driver may be able to file a lawsuit and recover money for the following:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Loss of potential earnings
- Loss of advice, assistance, protection and counsel
- Loss of comfort and society
- Punitive damages (if proven there was disregard for the safety or rights of others)
One type of claim the family would make would likely be a dram shop claim. This is a lawsuit against the establishment that over-served the drunk driver. According to Pritzker Olsen attorneys:
Under Minnesota Statutes, section 340A.502, it is illegal for bars, restaurants and other places where liquor is sold (dram shops) to give, sell or furnish alcoholic beverages for consumption by an obviously intoxicated person. If a dram shop does that, the dram shop is liable for any resulting injury or death. For example, if a drunk driver hits another vehicle and kills the other driver or a passenger, the dram shop is liable and will have to compensate the surviving spouse and next of kin.
Read more about a dram shop wrongful death claim or contact Pritzker Olsen for a free consultation.
Information from:
stmichael.patch.com/articles/two-dead-following-morning-accident-in-maple-grove
kstp.com/news/stories/S2193399.shtml?cat=1
Police Suspect Alcohol at Play in Fatal Crash
Minneapolis Police say they believe alcohol was a factor in a fatal, two-vehicle crash about 4:30 a.m. Thursday morning at a stoplight on Hiawatha Avenue.
The Star Tribune quoted Police Department spokesman Sgt. Bill Palmer as saying that a car driven by a 21-year-old man was stopped at a red light and was struck from behind by another car. The collision caused fire to erupt in the first car and the 21-year-old driver was found dead in the vehicle. His name has not been released.
The driver of the second car — a 33-year-old man – was arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation, Palmer said. Toxicology reports on the suspect aren’t expected to be complete for more than a week. Meanwhile, no charges have been filed.
Under Minnesota Statute, Section 169A, it is a violation of Minnesota law to drive with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more. If someone violates this law, it is prima facie evidence of negligence in a civil case (Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.96 (2006). In a civil action against a drunk driver, the injured party can ask for punitive damages, which, depending on the circumstances, can be significant.
The car accident lawyers at PritzkerOlsen Attorneys are deeply experienced in representing car accident victims and their survivors. Very often, our investigators find a dram shop claim is part of an auto accident case. When a dram shop claim is part of a fatal car accident case, our lawyers know how to fight for fair compensation.
Supervalue Lawsuit Alleges Accident Linked to Sale of Liquor to a Minor
A lawsuit has been filed against Supervalue, Inc., a Minnesota-based company and Albertsons, LLC, the alleged owners of an Albertsons store that sold alcohol to an underage driver who later crashed his car into a bridge, killing himself and paralyzing Ryan Costello, a 22-year-old who has been in a wheelchair since the accident. The lawsuit was filed in Florida on Wednesday. This was a tragic and inexcusable accident.
Claims against stores that sell liquor are called dram shop claims. Under Minnesota law, dram shops are liable for accident injuries and deaths when they sell liquor to a minor driver who has an accident while intoxicated.
When we handle auto accident cases involving a drunk driver, we always investigate to determine if a dram shop violation played a role in the car accident. There are a couple of reasons for this: 1) the dram shop should be punished for breaking the law and 2) it provides the victim or heirs another party to pursue for compensation.
Ryan Costello’s mother explains why the lawsuit against Supervalue and Albertsons is important to her:
“It has been beyond catastrophic for a single mother,” she said.
The lawsuit is not just about the money, she said. Costello often talks to DUI offender classes about the dangers of drinking and driving, and she says she just wants to see a store she believes is consistently selling alcohol to minors to stop.
“I am not saying my son is not responsible for his part of what happened to him. As you can see, he’s paying severely for what he did,” Costello said. “I just want Albertsons to be held responsible to operate under the letter of the law. One boy lost his life, another boy lost the life he knew. I just don’t want any other mothers to go through this.”1
In these cases, dram shops are often not willing to settle for full and adequate compensation. Our attorneys have significant trial experience and have been successful against dram shops.
To contact an auto accident attorney at PritzkerOlsen, please call 612-338-0202, call 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or submit our free consultation form.
Reference:
1. Robert Napper, Family sues Albertsons over debilitating crash, Brandenton Herald, February 5, 2009.
