Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
How to Survive the Death of a Loved One in an OUI Accident (Part A)
One of the hardest experiences in life is when one of our loved ones dies.
It is, of course, much more difficult if the death occurred as a result of a tragedy that could have been prevented, such as motor vehicle accident, especially drunk driving accidents.
No one is ever prepared for dealing with the shock of a drunk driving accident death.
There are ways, however, to cope and survive with the loss of a loved one to a drunk driver. Each person who experiences the loss of a loved one will grieve, or mourn, the loss in their own way.
Stages of Grief
There are several stages to grief. Some people go through them in order; others skip around, or even miss a step. This is all normal. Some experts say there are five stages, yet others say there are seven.
The stages of grief include:
- Shock or disbelief
- Denial
- Bargaining
- Guilt
- Anger
- Depression
- Acceptance/hope
Disbelief
For the families and friends who lose a loved one in a fatal drunken driving accident, the shock and disbelief stage will begin right away. It can take days, weeks, or even months for the true depth of the situation to really set in.
Bargaining
Sometimes we try to deny that our loved died, simply not wanting to believe they are really gone. That is where bargaining can come in. Some people try to make a deal with God that if He brings back our loved one, we won’t ever miss a Sunday at church, or other such “bargains.”
Guilt
Guilt can settle in when we feel that we may be responsible for the accident. If only I had driven her home, this wouldn’t have happened. Or if I’d have let her spend the night, she’d still be here with us today, so it’s my fault.
Anger and Depression
Anger and depression can go hand in hand. You get angry that your loved one was taken from you and you also end up depressed over the loss. It is also common to become angry at the deceased loved one for leaving you. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the two strong emotions.
Acceptance
Acceptance/hope means that you get to the point where you accept that your loved one is gone and you start to take steps to move forward in your life. You have hope that tomorrow may be a better day.
As you are going through the stages of grief, you should consult with a Boston MA car accident lawyer who specializes in cases involving Operating Under the Influence (OUI) accidents. It is important that the lawyer has handled these types of cases and that the attorney understands personal injury and wrongful death in drunk-driving cases.
Continue to How to Survive the Death of a Loved One in an OUI Accident (Part B) >>
