Cross-border personal injury: 1 killed, 1 injured in fiery crash

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on a recent Thursday, a driver of a minivan lost his life when an SUV smashed into his vehicle while he was waiting in the queue to clear the border into British Columbia. This would naturally be a traumatizing time for the surviving family members, and it might be complicated by the fact that the SUV driver is from Washington state. Dealing with the legalities of cross-border personal injury or wrongful death claims could be a legal nightmare.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the accident happened between the border and the inspection booths on the Canadian side. According to witnesses, the SUV driver raced toward the stationary lineup of vehicles at a high rate of speed, and crashed into the van. Both vehicles ended up in a flowerbed, and the van burst into flames, causing the death of its driver.

The SUV driver was taken to a hospital with injuries  not considered life-threatening. Although he was initially arrested, RCMP released him later, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. However, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed, the family of the deceased driver will likely be entitled to pursue financial relief.

Dealing with the laws and insurance companies of two different countries can be daunting. For that reason, most surviving family members or injured victims seek the support and guidance of a lawyer with experience in cross-border personal injury who is registered in Washington state and British Columbia. With the help of legal counsel, damages for financial and emotional damages might be recovered.