A fifteen-year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department was killed this week after being struck by a drunk driver.

The 46 year-old officer was assisting with a traffic accident on the interchange ramp that connects southbound Interstate 75 to northbound Interstate 85. She had just exited her squad car when she was hit by a 22 year-old woman. The officer died at the scene of the car accident.

The woman was given a breath test and registered a 0.16 blood alcohol content level. She was booked into the Fulton County and was later charged with homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and reckless driving. She is expected to appear in court later this week.

In the meantime, the officer's family and colleagues are grieving a tragic and senseless loss.

Georgia Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Although it is important for dangerous drivers to receive just punishment, criminal charges do little to compensate a family for the losses they suffer as the result of a fatal accident.

For that, the family will need to bring a wrongful death action in Georgia civil court.

Wrongful death lawsuits are designed to compensate the family for the value of their loved one's life. As such, the family can be awarded many different kinds of damages, including, but not limited to:

  • The pain and suffering the decedent suffered prior to his or her death
  • The pain and suffering the family experienced as a result of losing their loved one
  • The present value of the decedent's lost future wages
  • Loss of inheritance for the decedent's children
  • Compensation for funeral or medical expenses

Nothing can undo the damage caused by a fatal traffic accident. However, a wrongful death lawsuit is an important step towards making the family whole.

Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Atlanta Police Identify Officer Killed on Interstate," Mike Morris and John Spink, Jan. 25, 2012.