On Dec. 16, a woman died following a four-vehicle accident in New Milford. Three vehicles pulled to the side of Whisconier Road, and when a 4th vehicle became involved, it turned into a fatal accident.

According to the police report, a van stopped for a school bus at about 8 a.m. A Toyota Corolla hit the rear of the van, but no one was injured. After the vehicles pulled onto the roadside, police say that a Honda Fit grazed the Toyota. The driver of the Honda pulled over to exchange her insurance details. While the 31-year-old driver of the Honda stood behind the Toyota, a 24-year-old man driving a Jeep Cherokee smashed into the vehicle and pinned the woman.

The pinned woman was transported to a nearby hospital; however, she died soon afterward. Police say that early-morning glare from the sun may have been a factor in the tragedy because it affected the drivers’ visibility, but they are still investigating the accident.

The survivors of individuals who are killed in a fatal crash may be entitled to compensation for economic or non-economic damages through a wrongful death suit. Economic damages include the financial contributions that the deceased would have provided to the survivors if he or she did not die in the crash. This includes medical and funeral costs, loss of expected earnings, loss of inheritance, and loss of medical coverage, pension plans or other benefits. Non-economic damages include the value of the deceased’s life, including the mental anguish or suffering that the death causes the survivors. A licensed personal injury attorney may be able to help explain these options in the event that the victim’s family may wish to pursue a damages claim.