Last weekend a driver slowed down while driving on the Long Island Expressway, with the aim of negotiating an oncoming accident scene, but was killed when a driver who was drunk hit his vehicle.
The young driver was George Ragotte, 21, of Ronkonkoma. He was removed from his auto and transported to Nassau University Medical Center. He died soon after arrival at the facility.
It was reported that Ragotte reduced the speed of his vehicle as he approached the wreckage of two damaged autos that had just sideswiped one another not far from Sunnyside Boulevard. Ragotte’s car was subsequently hit by Raj Jadeja, 34, of Brooklyn, who was behind the wheel of a BMW sedan.
Police stated that Jadeja was later charged with Driving While Intoxicated [DWI], vehicular manslaughter, 2nd degree manslaughter, and 2nd degree reckless driving. It was not clear whether he had been injured.
This type of accident could have been avoided had Jadeja not been drinking and Ragotte would still be alive. The police didn’t hesitate to charge the offender, which immediately indicated who had caused the accident. Ragotte was a young man in the prime of his life, and his death must have been be a shock and devastating loss to his family and friends.
Once the family has come to terms with their loss they may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Jadeja for causing the death. It may seem odd to file for compensation for someone who has lost their life, but this sort of lawsuit is a way of helping the family come to terms with the loss of a loved one.
When someone as young as Ragotte dies needlessly due to the reckless behavior of another, the family loses more than just a part of their family but there is the financial loss of losing a breadwinner who has only just started earning a living. Depending on Ragotte’s situation at the time of his death and whether he was married, his close family may be able to include a variety of things in a wrongful death lawsuit. This could be loss of companionship, medical costs before his death, funeral costs and financial loss from earnings if he was contributing toward the running of the family’s home.
There is no simple calculation in a wrongful death lawsuit, but as long as fault for the death has been established and the lawsuit is filed within 2 years of the death, any compensation whether small or big helps the family feel they have taken some part in getting justice for the loss of a loved one.
In order to be sure everything is included in a wrongful death lawsuit and the right amount is calculated, it is essential to hire an experienced wrongful death attorney who will calculate the maximum possible compensation and will only take up the case if there is certainty of winning the claim.
Richard S. Jaffe Esq. is an experienced New York and Long Island wrongful death attorney who has built up an enviable reputation for winning wrongful death and personal injury claims for clients. He offers a free consultation where he will determine if your case is eligible for a compensation payment.
You can contact Richard Jaffe at the Law Offices of Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP 2001 Marcus Avenue, Suite W295, Lake Success, NY 11042. Phone: 516-358-6900 or toll free: 800-483-6149.
