A 37-year-old Minneapolis woman called for a cab on New Year’s Eve as part of her preparation to join a gathering of friends. As she crossed the street to get to the cab about 9:20 p.m., she was struck and killed by a passing vehicle that kept on going. The devastating loss of this mother of four children sparked a sweeping community response in the City of Lakes, including tips that led to the arrest of a woman who lives within a mile of the crash scene. Minneapolis Police also have recovered the car that struck the pedestrian and the police investigation has led to charges of criminal vehicular homicide against the suspect.
According to the complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court in downtown Minneapolis, the cab driver observed the car speeding at about 45 mph in a 30 mph zone. The pedestrian landed on the car’s hood and windshield and died at the scene. The complaint also said the 27-year-old driver did not have a full-fledged license, but was driving on a learner’s permit.
At a community vigil held Sunday for the victim and her family, she was remembered as an affectionate mother and friend. She was a noted hair stylist who graduated from Minneapolis North High School and studied at the University of Phoenix. Her children are ages 5 to 16 and the two oldest were home at the time of the accident, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Parents, spouses, children and, in some cases, other next of kin can file a wrongful death lawsuit as an immediate family member of the deceased individual. The elements of a wrongful death lawsuit generally require evidence that the person being sued caused the death and that your loved one’s death resulted from the respondent’s negligence. A parallel criminal prosecution can establish these facts beyond a reasonable doubt, aiding the civil litigation.
A good wrongful death lawyer will focus on meeting the needs of the family by aggressively and fairly pursuing compensation for the surviving family members in comprehensive fashion. Making a case requires exhibiting to the court and lawyers for the other side how your loved one’s death has affected you and other next-of-kin survivors. The best way to get a grip on your legal options and to determine if your case has proper foundation for going forward, contact an attorney who works extensively with victims (plaintiff’s lawyer). Our law firm is based in downtown Minneapolis. Our lawyers have recovered tens of millions of dollars for next of kin in wrongful death lawsuits, especially in the realm of devastating road accidents caused by a negligent drivers.
