Seven people suffered injuries after an accident on a Florida interstate that involved a pedestrian. A 37-year-old Jacksonville man was walking on Interstate 295 when a Volkswagen driver stopped to help him. The Volkswagen driver stopped his vehicle in the right travel lane, causing an oncoming Jeep to hit it from behind. The collision caused the Volkswagen to hit the pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the three people who were riding in the Jeep were critically injured. Two adults and a child were in the Jeep. None of them were wearing seat belts. The driver and two passengers, including the 6-year-old child and the pedestrian, were taken to UF Health Jacksonville.
There were also three people in the Volkswagen who stopped to help the pedestrian. They were all wearing seat belts, and none of them were seriously injured. Police believe that alcohol may have contributed to the car accident, but they have not made any arrests. The highway was closed for several hours after the accident.
As authorities determine who is responsible, the people who were injured will face mounting medical bills. Their families may choose to file a personal injury lawsuit to hold the responsible party accountable. Because the legal system is complex, family members often depend on an experience attorney to file paperwork with the courts and deal with insurance companies. Lawyers with experience handling personal injury cases are often able to negotiate fair settlements for their clients. With the money to pay medical bills and cover other accident related expenses, victims may be able to recover without worrying about the costs associated with the accident.
Source: The Florida Times-Union Jacksonville.com, “Pedestrian critically injured in Jacksonville wreck involving 2 vehicles“, Dana Treen, June 30, 2013