According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, an elderly man was killed in a Jacksonville car wreck on Oct. 30. The accident occurred when a woman who was eastbound on Martin Luther King Parkway turned her Chevrolet S-10 left onto Moncrief Road and into the path of an oncoming Jeep Wrangler. Investigators stated that she failed to see the vehicle before making the turn. The Jeep collided with the Chevrolet, which caused both cars to spin.
The elderly man was a passenger in the Chevrolet, and he was taken to Shands UF Health where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the Chevrolet sustained minor injuries, as did the Jeep’s driver and passenger. It was not reported whether or not charges would be filed against the responsible driver. Potential factors leading to the accident were also not included in the report.
While many drivers know the risks of driving while fatigued or distracted, this may not keep them from driving without their full attention. Drivers who are operating vehicles while either talking to their passengers or simply not paying attention to the road may be liable for any serious injuries or deaths that result from an accident.
Those who were injured in a car crash caused by a distracted driver may be able to seek compensation, which could potentially be used to cover property damage and medical bills. Family members who lose a loved one in a car accident may be able to seek monetary compensation for loss of companionship and even loss of inheritance.
Source: First Coast News, “Elderly Jacksonville man killed in car crash”, Jennifer Duckworth, October 31, 2013