Here in Connecticut, when we get behind the wheel of a car, we have a responsibility to drive carefully and cautiously. Unfortunately, not everyone does this. In fact, sometimes it seems like our streets are filled with negligent drivers. We pass one person who is texting while driving and another who is trying to apply makeup in the mirror on the way to work. Even worse, we see others stumble out of bars and get behind the wheel. What these people fail to consider each time the drive while distracted or impaired is that their negligence can end up harming someone else.

Sadly, driver inattention may have been the cause of a fatal accident that happened last weekend in Franklin. A 23-year-old man from Ashford was killed when another vehicle crossed the center lines on Route 32 and crashed into him. After the initial collision, another vehicle hit the young man’s car. Police do not know why the driver crossed into oncoming traffic.

Sadly, accidents like this happen far too often on our roads. A driver looks down to grab a snack in the car or turns around to talk to a backseat passenger, taking his or eyes off the road for just a few seconds. Just a few seconds of inattention, however, can mean serious injuries or death for a fellow motorist.

Fortunately for a victim and his or her family, personal injury laws exist to help obtain compensation for medical expenses or funeral costs that were incurred because of another driver’s negligence. While no amount of money can ever take back what happened, financial compensation ensures that a family isn’t further burdened after the loss of a loved one.

Source: The Norwich Bulletin, “One dead in four-car accident in Franklin,” Ryan Blessing, March 23, 2013