When an individual gets into a car either as a driver or passenger, it is expected that they will follow the rules of the road. At the same time, they place a certain amount of trust in those with whom they are sharing the road that they too will drive safely. Of all of the factors that contribute to car accidents in the Pittsburgh area each day, perhaps the most upsetting cause is drunk driving. This is because it is preventable and well known to all to contribute to the occurrence of car accidents.

Despite this knowledge, driving while intoxicated is a contributing factor in many accidents throughout the nation. While in some cases the car crashes result only in minor injuries, in the worst cases death occurs. One of these accidents appears to have occurred this past weekend in the Pittsburgh area.

An 18-year-old girl was killed when her vehicles was struck in the rear. The force of the impact was so great that it caused the car to flip and catch on fire. Additionally, even though the teen was wearing a seat belt when the collision occurred, she was nonetheless launched from the vehicle.

The driver of the other vehicle involved in the incident was a 28-year-old man. It is suspected that he was intoxicated when his car hit the young woman's as they both travelled on Route 28. Should tests reveal that the man was in fact driving while drunk, he will likely face criminal charges. In addition, it is possible that the young woman's family could decide to seek financial compensation for her death via a wrongful death lawsuit.

Source: KDKA, "Friends Remember Teen Killed In Route 28 Crash," Ross Guidotti, Feb. 18, 2013