Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
A jury has awarded the family of 22-year-old Joe Kareta over $1 million in their South Hadley wrongful death case. Kareta died in 2011 when he was struck in a Massachusetts pedestrian accident. At the time, he was getting mail from the house of his aunt.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Kareta, Attorney Craig Barton, 46, was reportedly traveling approximately 80 mph in a 30 mph area. His vehicle hit Kareta hard enough that he was yanked from his sneakers as his body flew over 100 feet, striking numerous mailboxes, striking another vehicle, and a traffic sign.
Barton has already pleaded guilty to criminal motor vehicle homicide while operating under alcohol’s influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and another offense of operating under the influence in Kareta’s Massachusetts drunk driving death. He is serving 5 to 7 years behind bars. He did, however, leave jail so he could represent himself in Hampshire Superior Court during the Kareta family’s civil case.
During his closing statement, Barton admitted to taking Kareta’s life. He said he was “eternally sorrowful” for what he had done.
As our Boston injury law firm has mentioned in previous blog posts, even if there is a criminal case against the person that you believe caused your Massachusetts personal injury accident or a loved one’s wrongful death, you may also be able to pursue a civil case to sue for damages. You should contact a Boston injury lawyer right away to find out whether to proceed with this route.
Boston Car Accident Cases
Car crashes continue to be a leading cause of fatalities in the US. Many of these could have been avoided if only a motorist had been more careful. Drunk driving, drugged driving, distracted driving, careless driving, and reckless driving are all examples of negligent driving. Our Boston car accident lawyers would like to offer you a free case assessment today.
Victim’s sister gives emotional testimony in South Hadley wrongful death case, Gzettenet.com, March 5, 2014
Family Awarded Over $1M in 2011 Death of Son in South Hadley, WGGP, March 5, 2014
Impaired Driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
More Blog Posts:
Your Car May Soon Know You’re Drunk: NHTSA Extends Agreement with Auto Companies to Develop a Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, Febuary 25, 2014
Massachusetts Car Crash Involving Mattress Leaves Woman Dead, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, January 31, 2014
Massachusetts Office Accidents Can Cause Serious Boston Work Injuries, Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Blog, February 28, 2014
