We were able to obtain $3,015,000 in a wrongful death settlement for the family of Luis Preciado Benitez. The case involved a defendant driver who drove drunk after leaving a company event and crossed into oncoming traffic, causing a fatal collision. A key challenge was establishing the employer's vicarious liability, as the crash occurred over 90 minutes after the employee left the company party and stopped at a gas station to consume more alcohol.

Through depositions of supervisory personnel and aggressive discovery, we built the case for course and scope, ultimately compelling policy limits settlements from multiple insurers.

The settlement provides critical financial support for the decedent's elderly parents who depended on him, as well as his son who was born after his death.

Summary

Holding an employer accountable for an employee's drunk driving is rarely straightforward—especially when the crash happens well after the company event ends. Here, a defendant drove drunk after leaving a work party, stopped for more alcohol, and crossed into oncoming traffic more than 90 minutes later, killing Luis Preciado Benitez. Through depositions of supervisory personnel and aggressive discovery, Yuhl Carr built the case for course and scope of employment and compelled policy-limits settlements from multiple insurers, recovering $3,015,000 in this wrongful death case for the decedent's elderly parents and the son born after his death. If you've lost a loved one to a drunk or negligent driver, contact Yuhl Carr for a free and confidential consultation.