Wrongful Death and Hit and Run

A hit and run accident resulting in death can have a significant impact on a subsequent wrongful death lawsuit. The suspect driver can face criminal charges for manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. Meanwhile, the victim’s family can pursue a civil claim for wrongful death to seek compensation for their losses.

Criminal Charges vs. Civil Lawsuit

Even if the hit and run driver is convicted in criminal court, the family can still pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. The criminal case focuses on punishing the driver, while the civil case focuses on compensating the family for their losses.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

This type of lawsuit allows the family to seek financial compensation for various damages, including:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional wrongdoing, the court may also award punitive damages to punish the driver and deter similar behavior in the future. In essence, a hit and run accident leading to death creates a complex situation with both criminal and civil implications for the at-fault driver and the victim’s family.

Keep in mind there are time limits for filing a wrongful death claim, so it’s crucial to act promptly after the accident.

Contact the J. Gonzalez law Firm

Legal assistance from the J. Gonzalez Law Firm can help you navigate complexities such as the statute of limitations, coordination with criminal prosecutors, and more. Our expert wrongful death attorneys have decades of experience handling the most-complex of cases, and they have a long track record of recovering millions of dollars in compensation for their clients.

If you have lost an immediate family member due to someone else’s negligence, call us today to find out how we can get help you put your life back together. You can reach us via this website, or by calling 1-800-CAR-CRASH.

Police make arrest in fatal crash

By: Benjamin Treviño   

HARLINGEN — Police have arrested a Donna man in connection with a fatal expressway crash involving a tow truck driver. The incident happened July 8 at approximately 5:00 p.m. on IH-2 east of FM 506 in Harlingen.

According to police, 46-year-old David Zapata was working as a tow driver and was in the process of securing a vehicle to a tow truck on the shoulder of the highway.

A white Dodge Ram traveling west on the highway struck Zapata as he was working, killing him. The driver of the Dodge Ram fled the scene, police say, but he was arrested a short time later.

The suspect is identified as 28-year-old Cristobal Stephan Garzez.

Deputies booked Garzez into the Cameron County Jail following his arrest. He is charged with intoxication manslaughter, failure to slow his vehicle, causing death, failure to stop and render aid, and possession of a controlled substance.

DPS Troopers were still investigating the fatal crash at this writing.

Source: https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/donna-man-arrested-for-deadly-expressway-crash/