A multi-car accident involving several injuries and one fatality held up traffic for several hours on Dec. 6. The car accident occurred in Clinton around 4:30 p.m. on Lewallen Bridge, according to the Clinton Police Department.

A 21-year-old Knoxville man was accused of drinking and driving in the accident. Police said that being under the influence of alcohol played a role in the man losing control of his truck and causing the crash. After the vehicle went out of control, it crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with two vehicles. The man was charged with DUI and vehicular homicide.

The accident threw the passenger in the man’s vehicle out of the truck. The 40-year-old woman died from her injuries a short time later. Four other people suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Three others from cars involved in the wreck weren’t injured. The bridge was shut down for several hours as authorities worked to clean up the accident.

Accident victims may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver by filing a personal injury lawsuit or by having a lawyer negotiate on their behalf with the insurance companies involved. In this case, if the family of the deceased woman chooses to file a wrongful death claim and it is successful, they may receive compensation for any accident-related damages, such as lost wages and any final expenses their loved one may have had. Such compensation may help provide financial stability to any children or spouse who may have depended upon the victim’s income.

Source: WATE, “1 person killed, several injured in DUI related crash“, December 06, 2013