There are so many risks that we face when we get into our vehicles each day. Even though we take the steps necessary to be safe, we know that there is no way to control the careless or negligent behavior of other drivers. We are now learning that a Charlotte woman will serve no time in jail in the DUI death of a local pastor.
If you need a Charlotte wrongful death attorney, you can count on the team at Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC to have your back. We know that this is an incredibly difficult time for you and your family, so let us work to secure the compensation you deserve.
Was Her Sentence Fair?
Elizabeth Meinke will not serve any jail time for the role she played in a car crash that killed a well-known pastor. The incident happened in May of 2018 when Meinke struck and killed 51-year-old Timothy Olson as he was driving to a coffee shop.
Meinke was charged with reckless driving causing death, a felony in North Carolina. She pleaded guilty and her sentence does come with restrictions.
- She cannot drink, drive, or do any illicit drugs
- She must have a job and work 30 hours each week
- She will be drug tested twice a week
If she does not violate those terms, her charges will be reduced to a moving violation causing death (a one-year misdemeanor) and two years of probation.
Wrongful Death Cases
We want to take a moment and discuss wrongful death cases and how they arise. A wrongful death lawsuit can be brought by surviving family members in the event their loved one is killed due to the reckless, negligent, or careless behavior of an individual, company, or entity.
There are many ways in which wrongful death cases arise. Today, we will list a few of those ways but please, always speak with a qualified attorney about your particular case.
- Vehicle Accidents – During North Carolina’s latest reporting year, there were more than 1,200 fatal vehicle crashes. Many of those were due to drunk, distracted, or otherwise reckless drivers.
- Product Liability –The website that tracks all current recalls show us hundreds of products that have a flawed design, a manufacturing error, or are incorrectly labeled that could cause consumer deaths.
- Workplace Accidents – Employers who fail to provide workers with a safe environment and necessary equipment should be held accountable for worker deaths.
- Medical Mistakes – Around 250,000 people die each year due to the negligence of medical professionals.
- Criminal Activity – When a crime is committed and someone is killed, the person who is responsible can be held liable both criminally and civilly.
What Happens Now?
We know that you and your family are going through an incredibly difficult time right now and you may not know where to turn. You can count on the professionals at Brown, Moore & Associates, PLLC to investigate your case and secure the compensation you deserve:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of future income and benefits of the deceased
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of companionship damages
- Punitive damages against those responsible
When you need a Charlotte wrongful death attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 800-948-0577.
