While there are of course many motor vehicle accidents that occur each day that are just that, "accidents," and happen despite a lack of negligent behavior, there are those that could have potentially been avoided had certain steps been taken. In the latter instance, it is possible that the person who has acted in a negligent behavior could face more severe consequences than just a rise in insurance premiums.

This is illustrated in a fatal car crash that occurred earlier this month in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania. The fatal accident, which involved a tow truck, happened when that tow truck crashed head-on into another vehicle after crossing the center line. Immediately following the collision, the 50-year-old man who was driving the tow truck, got out of his truck and unsuccessfully tried to leave the scene.

There were two people in the vehicle the man's tow truck hit. The vehicle's driver, a 45-year-old woman died as a result of the collision. The other occupant of the car, her 9-year-old son, was seriously injured. He was transported via helicopter to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. He sustained a severe head injury.

The tow truck driver has since been charged with a crime–homicide by vehicle–and is in Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial. It is highly likely that he will face civil cases as well. The loved ones of the occupants of the car he hit may decide to file personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against the man for his role in the injuries to the child and death to the woman.

While nothing can be done to undo the tragic accident, the civil cases could make it easier for members of the family to more easily move forward with their lives.

Source: WPXI, "Tow truck driver charged in fatal Penn Hills crash," May 12, 2012