Passenger Killed in Newport News Accident | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the loved ones of Lashawan Lashell Hogans who passed away in the aftermath of a fatal car accident on June 25, 2014.

 

Ms. Hogans was a passenger in a 1998 BMW that was traveling down I-64, near Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News, Virginia (VA).  At around 9 p.m., the driver of the BMW ran off the road and struck a tree. The driver of the vehicle died at the scene of the accident, but Hogans was transported via medflight to a hospital with serious injuries. She died later that night from those injuries at the hospital. She was only 21 years old.

 

Investigators of the crash have not determined whether the accident was due to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

Losing a loved one is never easy, but the pain is even worse when the loss is completely unexpected and results in the death of someone so young who had their whole life ahead of them.

 

Nearly 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year and are the leading cause of death among young people ages 15-29. Drivers, especially young ones, must always take precautionary measures to assure their own safety and the safety of others on the road. The cause of the accident is unknown, but many of the legal ramifications of an auto accident are the same whether or not alcohol or drugs are involved.

 

For instance, if Ms. Hogan’s parents or loved ones  chose to pursue compensation from the driver’s insurance company, they could discuss their legal options with an experienced car accident attorney to learn about their eligibility. In most car accident cases, insurance companies are involved. Though it is the driver that is labeled as the at-fault party, the insurance company will compensate the client for whatever damages are agreed upon.

This is why we recommended that injured parties make claims against the driver, even if the driver is a friend. The purpose of auto insurance is to cover car accidents, including ones that involve the injury of another person. In most cases, the injury claim will be settled and the friend will not know that a claim has been filed.

 

What is most important, however, is that her loved ones eventually find a sense of closure about the accident that has taken place.